Phoenix Super LPG hardly showed any ill effects from the off-court issue surrounding the ball club, as it finally got on board the PBA Commissioner’s Cup by downing NLEX, 111-97, Saturday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Days after the PBA received a notice of garnishment of its bond, the Fuel Masters stayed locked in at the task at hand. And in the process, they chalked up win no. 1 after a 0-3 start – spoiling the debut of Frankie Lim as well.
“We just tried to keep on playing,” oiffered head coach Topex Robinson. “A lot of times during that game, we kinda felt like it’s gonna slip through our hands again. But we just kept our composure. These guys really slugged it out.”
Tyler Tio led the way with career-highs of 26 points and seven assists. He worked together with Javee Mocon and Encho Serrano for the fourth-quarter pull-away following a see-saw battle in the first three quarters.
“Like what Coach Topex said, we just focused on what we can control as a team. And I think the outside noise, there’s nothing we can do about it,” said the rookie gunner out of Ateneo, who sank five three-pointers.
Mocon finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while import Kaleb Wesson tallied 22 points and 21 rebounds. Wesson also had seven assists, a steal, and a block in 43 minutes in an all-around performance.
Serrano and RJ Jazul produced 17 markers apiece. A total of five Fuel Masters finished in double figures to improve to 1-3.
“We always tell these guys, as long as we outwork the other team, no guarantee of winning. But as long as we know that after this game, win or lose, we’re proud of who we are as a team and what we represent,” said Robinson.
Phoenix will try to start a winning run when it takes on Barangay Ginebra next on October 14, Friday, 5:45 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Meanwhile, Earl Clark had 36 points, 20 rebounds, and eight assists to lead NLEX, who failed to give its new head coach a win in his debut.
Don Trollano had 18 points, while Kevin Alas added 16 markers for the Road Warriors.
They absorbed their first loss after starting out with back-to-back wins.
NLEX (2-1) will aim to get back on track against the 3-0 Magnolia on Wednesday, October 12, 5:45 PM, also at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Phoenix 111 – Tio 26, Mocon 23, Wesson 22, Jazul 17, Serrano 17, Pascual 4, Camacho 2, Lojera 0, Muyang 0, Rios 0, Garcia 0, Adamos 0.
NLEX 97 – Clark 36, Trollano 18, Alas 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Nieto 11, Chua 2, Celda 2, Miranda 0, Varilla 0.
Quarterscores: 26-30, 53-55, 81-77, 111-97.
—
The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
