Phoenix Super LPG got its bearings back and sent Blackwater skidding to a third straight loss, 102-93, to close out its first-round campaign in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup group stage Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Licking its wounds after stumbling versus Rain or Shine on this day last week, the Fuel Masters pulled away in the fourth quarter for good after the opposition managed to chop the gap to 83-80 with less than eight minutes left.
BJ Johnson nailed a tough jumper before Gian Mamuyac and Ricci Rivero came through with conversions of their own to help string together an 11-3 rally en route to a 94-83 lead with 5:14 remaining, enough to put the Bossing away.
Eventually, they’d hike their card to 4-1 to remain atop Group B as their foes fell to 2-3, leaving Meralco and Rain or Shine tied at no. 2 with similar 2-2 records.
(C) PBA Images
“Credit to the guys, we were able to get some stops. It was tough, but we battled. And we didn’t give up. We got some stops when it mattered, and we were able to eke out the win,” offered head coach Charles Tiu.
Jason Perkins led Phoenix with 25 points and six rebounds off the bench, scoring half of their 24 points in the third to help the crew seize control.
BJ Johnson finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Mamuyac delivered 18 points off the bench as well for his best game in a Fuel Masters jersey so far.
Rivero flirted with a triple-double as he registered 10 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, which he laced with a steal and two blocks for a full line.
(C) PBA Images
Meanwhile, Kentrell Barkley posted game-highs of 36 points and 25 rebounds but received little support, specifically from Sedrick Barefield.
The star guard only punched in 10 points on 5-of-19 shooting from the floor, including a 0-for-7 clip from three-point distance, in 41 minutes.
Leading their locals instead was RK Ilagan with 20 points in the loss, in which they missed the services of Christian David once more due to injury.
Both Phoenix and Blackwater will open their second round runs with a rematch on Wednesday, August 5, 5:15 p.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
Phoenix Super LPG 102 – Perkins 25, Johnson 23, Mamuyac 18, Rivero 10, Tio 8, Tuffin 6, Escandor 6, Ballungay 2, Delos Santos 2, Santos 0, Cullar 0.
Blackwater 93 – Barkley 36, Ilagan 20, Barefield 10, Austria 8, Panopio 7, Tratter 4, Una 4, Mallilin 2, Mendoza 2, Murrell 0.
Quarterscores: 20-22, 54-53, 78-72, 102-93.
