Coming off a loss against Rain or Shine last week, Phoenix Fuel Masters stomped on NLEX Road Warriors via wide margin, 102-91, to bounce back into the win column of the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night in Pasay City.
The win sends Phoenix’s record to 5-4, creating a three-way tie with TNT and Blackwater at the fourth spot of the team standings. The Road Warriors, meanwhile, dropped to a dismal 2-7 slate and have tied Meralco at the bottom of the rankings.
“There’s nothing to celebrate pa dahil yung mga ka-tie namin tinalo kami. Star beat us by 44. Right now, we are virtually tied with them but we are still in seventh or eighth place,” said Phoenix head coach Ariel Vanguardia.
Five Fuel Masters scored in double figures for Phoenix tonight. Simon Enciso bounced back from a 1-of-11 outing against Globalport, scoring 21 markers highlighted by five treys and four assists.
JC Intal had 16 points, while Cyrus Baguio scored 13 on an efficient 5-of-8 from the floor. Willie Wilson, who is returning from a two-game absence, almost picked-up a double-double with 12 points and nine boards.
“Simon bounced back from that 1-of-11 outing. JC also. Willie Wilson just came back but the energy he brings is good for us,” Vanguardia added.
The game was still in contest in the 6:31 mark the third canto, 64-60, until Phoenix waxed hot on offense with a blistering 30-10 scoring blitz anchored by the backcourt tandem of Baguio and Enciso en route to the game’s widest gap at 24, 94-70, in the 7:44 mark of the final frame.
“I challenged them. We lost the first quarter because of a three-point shot. We just told them to seal out their shooters,” shared the first-year PBA mentor.
With Phoenix turning the ball over a few times, NLEX capitalized and closed within 10, 99-89, after a pair of charities by Sean Anthony with 1:09 to go. But that proved to be their last run, as a corner triple by Wright with 48.1 left shut the door for an NLEX comeback.
Matthew Wright flirted with a triple-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, negating the 10 turnovers he committed.
Sean Anthony, despite shooting just 7-of-16, led NLEX with his 23 points and eight boards. Jonas Villanueva and Raul Soyud backed him up with 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
Phoenix shot better from the field by nailing 37 of 82 tries compared to NLEX’s 31 of 77. They also won the rebounding battle, 59-38, and moved the ball better six times, 25-19.
Phoenix looks to post yet another victory as they face Ginebra this Sunday, January 22, 6:45 PM at Philsports Arena. On the other hand, NLEX will try to win one against Mahindra next Friday, January 27, 4:15 PM still at Cuneta Astrodome.
The Scores:
Phoenix (102) – Enciso 21, Intal 16, Baguio 13, W. Wilson 12, Wright 12, Borboran 7, Lanete 7, Miranda 5, Torres 5, J. Wilson 2, Caperal 2.
NLEX (91) – Anthony 23, J. Villanueva 11, Soyud 10, Guinto 9, Alas 8, Rios 6, Lanete 6, Taulava 4, Khobuntin 3, Lastimosa 3, Monfort 3, Camson 2, E. Villanueva 2, Gotladera 1, Baracael 0.
Quarterscores: 20-22, 53-48, 81-63, 102-91.
