Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Coach Louie Alas didn’t want another game that they ripped wide open right from the start slip away.
Leading once more by a huge margin, the Phoenix Fuel Masters had a finishing kick this time, dumping the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 135-108, on Wednesday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup to stay mathematically in the hunt for a playoff berth.
“We finally managed to protect our lead,” said Alas, whose charges opened up a 19-point lead against Rain or Shine two weeks ago only to fold up in the end.
“Hopefully, this is the start of something big,” he added.
“[The fold-up, like what happened against the Elasto Painters] usually happens in the third quarter when we can’t manage our turnovers and [we] allow the other team to score more than 30 points,” Alas said.
In the second game, Barangay Ginebra broke away in the second quarter and then stepped on the gas the rest of the way to crush Columbian, 134-107.
The win allowed the Kings to also boost their playoff hopes after getting double figures from six players, led by Justin Brownlee’s 24.
Starring Eugene Phelps and Matthew Wright, the Fuel Masters sped away early, 41-22, and held off the Batang Pier with a smothering defense the rest of the way.
Phoenix kept its hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals after rising to 4-6 while completing the highest offensive output in the last five conferences.
The Fuel Masters, while snapping a four-game skid, will still have to beat the Alaska Aces after a 16-day respite to keep their playoff chances alive.
SCORES
PHOENIX 135 – GLOBALPORT 108
PHOENIX 135—Phelps 37, Wright 24, Perkins 13, Jazul 11, Revilla 9, Intal 9, Gamboa 9, Kramer 6, Wilson 6, Dehesa 4, Guevarra 3, Chua 2, Mendoza 2, Eriobu 0.
GLOBALPORT 108—White 24, Anthony 15, Pringle 14, Javelona 10, Pringle 9, Grey 9, Elorde 9, Guinto 8, Arana 7, Tautuaa 6, Gabayni 2, Flores 2, Nabong 1, Bulawan 0.
Quarters: 41-22, 70-51, 107-77, 135-108
BRGY. GINEBRA 134 – COLUMBIAN 107
BARANGAY GINEBRA 134—Brownlee 24, Aguilar 19, Ferrer 18, Tenorio 16, Thompson 12, Slaughter 10, Caguioa 8, Mercado 7, Devance 5, Mariano 5, Chan 4, Cruz 4, Caperal 2, Manuel 0.
COLUMBIAN 107—Fields 30, McCarthy 17, Tubid 15, Khobuntin 14, King 14, Escoto 11, Corpuz 2, Ababou 2, Celda 2, Camson 0, Celda 0, Sara 0, Cahilig 0.
Quarters: 30-29, 62-49, 97-76, 134-107