Phoenix scores back-to-back wins, sends Mahindra to 0-3 start

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Phoenix kept its fire burning and razed woeful Mahindra, 114-104, for its second straight win in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

After stunning defending champions San Miguel Beermen on Wednesday, the Fuel Masters continued their momentum and improved to 2-1 while sending the Floodbuster to a 0-3 record.

Phoenix, however, experienced a bit of a scare in the fourth quarter when its 30-point lead, 105-75, after JC Intal slammed a two-hander on the break at the 9:08 mark, was cut to nine, 111-102 with 46.3 seconds remaining. 

Ariel Vanguardia’s men still held on to win, by virtue of its massive lead in the fourth, but he was livid after the game lamenting his team’s complacency down the stretch.

“I wasn’t too happy with the way we ended this game, and that shouldn’t be the case,” said Vanguardia after the Floodbuster went on a blistering 27-6 run to close the gap. “We should be attacking and playing defense.”

JC Intal came off the bench anew and poured in a game-high 24 points for Phoenix that went with seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocks while rookie Matthew Wright added 21 points, 15 of which came from beyond the arc.

Alex Mallari led Mahindra with 19 points while Philip Paniamogan pitched in 15.