Phoenix Super LPG stunned Ginebra, 101-93, for back-to-back wins in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Friday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Young guns Tyler Tio and Encho Serrano joined hands with vets RJ Jazul and Sean Anthony for the 14-2 run towards an 88-79 lead early in the final frame, and the Fuel Masters would never let up in catching a big fish in the Kings.
“These guys are playing their hearts out. We talked earlier about quieting the noise and we just did our jobs to make sure the fans were there but not there,” said head coach Topex Robinson as his side improved to 2-3.
“That’s on us,” the young mentor added. “We try to focus on everything and prepare for this game. You know it’s going to be a tough one.”
Javee Mocon led Phoenix with 20 points. Tio had 17 points and seven assists, while Serrano registered 16 markers off the bench. Sean Anthony churned out a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds with five dimes.
Import Kaleb Wesson tallied 15 points and 17 rebounds but filled up the stat sheet as he also had five assists, a steal, and a block.
“These guys are just playing it out,” Robinson lauded. “I told them no matter what you guys run, as long as everybody is aware of it. We want to come out, always, as a united front, whether it’s on offense or defense.”
A team that started out 0-3, Phoenix will try to get its third win in a row against Meralco on Wednesday, October 19, 3 p.m. at the Philsports Arena.
Stanley Pringle, meanwhile, finished with a game-high 25 points to lead Ginebra, who failed to collect its third consecutive win.
Justin Brownlee had a quiet 23 points with 11 rebounds and eight assists. Jamie Malonzo and Scottie Thompson added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
The Barangay (2-2) will look to bounce back against the current league leaders in Magnolia (4-0) in another chapter of the Manila Clasico on October 23, Sunday, 6:45 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
Phoenix Super LPG 101 – Mocon 20, Tio 17, Serrano 16, Wesson 15, Anthony 14, Jazul 7, Manganti 5, Garcia 3, Pascual 2, Lojera 2, Camacho 0, Muyang 0, Lalata 0.
Ginebra 93 – Pringle 25, Brownlee 23, Malonzo 13, Thompson 11, J.Aguilar 7, Tenorio 7, Standhardinger 6, Gray 1, Pessumal 0, Mariano 0.
Quarterscores: 16-23, 45-48, 74-77, 101-93.
—
The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
