Phoenix finally broke through into the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup win column after handing NorthPort its first loss of the conference by way of a 114-109 decision on Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
RJ Jazul and Kenneth Tuffin connived to push their lead to 112-102 with 1:47 remaining in the game, and the Fuel Masters would hang on to survive the Batang Pier and eventually taste a victory after four failed attempts.
“This is big, anything when you’re 0-4 as you really need to climb back,” said Coach Jamike Jarin. “We’ll continue to work hard. One step at a time.”
Donovan Smith top-scored for Phoenix with 32 points and 14 rebounds, which he laced with four assists, four steals, and a pair of blocks.
Jason Perkins, despite fouling out late in the match, provided 24 points, four rebounds, two assists, and three steals for an all-around effort.
Tuffin supplied 15 points, highlighted by a 2-of-3 clip from three, alongside seven rebounds, while Jazul added 14 markers and five assists.
Jazul scored eight in the final quarter alone as he nailed key buckets to keep NorthPort at bay, eventually earning Player of the Game honors.
“In our last games, medyo maayos naman sa simula nawawala lang sa endgame. After four games, we learned our lessons,” said the veteran guard.
Kadeem Jack, on the other hand, led the Batang Pier with 28 points and 16 rebounds. Arvin Tolentino shared the offensive load with 23.
Joshua Munzon made 18 points while Evan Nelle and Sidney Onwubere added 15 and 11 points, respectively, as they all tried to will their team back into the game especially in the fourth after being down by as many as 14 early.
They did threaten and managed to get within four, 97-93, but Phoenix leaned on Raul Soyud and their aforementioned key guys to restore order.
Coach Bonnie Tan’s wards fell to 5-1 following the defeat, making their meeting with guest team Hong Kong Eastern this Friday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig all the more intriguing as it will be a clash between 5-1 squads.
The Scores:
Phoenix 115 – Smith 32, Perkins 24, Tuffin 15, Jazul 14, Manganti 9, Soyud 7, Tio 5, Salado 4, Rivero 3, Verano 2, Daves 0, Ular 0, Alejandro 0, Garcia 0.
NorthPort 109 – Jack 28, Tolentino 23, Munzon 18, Nelle 15, Onwubere 11, Bulanadi 7, Navarro 3, Flores 2, Miranda 2, Yu 0, Cuntapay 0.
Quarterscores: 29-21, 54-45, 84-76, 115-109.
