There were no endgame scares whatsoever this time around as Phoenix dealt Titan Ultra a harsh 109-76 beating to stay unscathed in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center II in Montalban, Sunday.
Unlike in their conference debut versus Magnolia barely 48 hours ago, the Fuel Masters dictated the pace right from the jump, leaping to a 33-17 lead before breaking away for good in the fourth for their second win in as many games.
Aside from remaining perfect thus far under Charles Tiu, the crew has gained a share of the lead with Terrafirma as both teams now tote similar 2-0 records.
It is also the first time in five years that the team has started a conference with back-to-back wins, or since the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup when it had Paul Harris as its import, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.
(C) PBA Images
“As a coach, we try to envision ourselves winning naman every game. Of course, it’s still somewhat unexpected kasi nga we were able to upset Magnolia so we’re just thankful that we’re 2-and-0,” offered the 37-year-old mentor.
“I believe in this team, I really believe in the players that we have. And I think we can compete with every team naman–or at least give ourselves a chance to win every game. ‘Yun lang naman ang hinihingi namin,” Tiu added.
For the second game in a row, Phoenix leaned on a balanced attack as five players finished in double figures, led by Ricci Rivero with 18 points and nine rebounds, which he laced with four assists and a pair of steals.
Import James Dickey III flirted with another 20-20 outing after tallying 17 points and the same amount of rebounds, six assists, four steals, and four blocks.
Kenneth Tuffin fired 17 points as well, spiked by three three-pointers. Evan Nelle registered 14 points and eight assists while big man Bryan Santos chipped in 13 markers as the trio accounted for 44 of the team’s bench points.
The win, though, wasn’t without any hiccups, most especially in the third quarter when the Giant Risers got to within seven points twice, the last being at 69-62 following a conversion inside by Michael Gilmore with 2:20 on the clock.
But Kai Ballungay was there to cut their momentum with a split, before Santos knocked down a trifecta to push their lead back to 11 before the period ended.
Then came Nelle, who opened the final period with a four-pointer to trigger a 16-2 run–which he himself finished as well with another one from 27 feet away–for the 89-66 lead with 8:38 left, effectively restoring order for Phoenix.
“Actually, I didn’t have to say much. I think with this type of team that we’re trying to build, they could kind of police themselves,” shared Tiu.
“They took the challenge among themselves, and they stepped up; Ricci and Evan made some big shots. They were able to weather the storm, and that’s how we want to play naman eh. We don’t wanna panic,” he added.
The Fuel Masters will try to make it three consecutive wins when they take on another contender in Meralco this Friday, March 20, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, in which Tiu is set to face one of his former teams.
(C) PBA Images
Gilmore, on the other hand, was the only one in double figures for Titan Ultra with 27 points on 28 shots and 29 rebounds, but against 10 turnovers.
The Giant Risers will try to break their winless spell against the debuting San Miguel Beer on Saturday, March 21, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Scores:
Phoenix 109 – Rivero 18, Dickey III 17, Tuffin 17, Nelle 14, Santos 13, Ballungay 5, Gozum 4, Escandor 3, Caperal 2, Daves 2, Delos Santos 0, Ando 0.
Titan Ultra 76 – Gilmore 27, Munzon 9, Yu 9, Sajonia 8, Flores 6, Dionisio 5, Melecio 2, Balanza 2, Ular 2, Caralipio 2, Ambohot 2, Omega 0, Pessumal 0.
Quarterscores: 33-17, 58-45, 73-64, 109-76.
