Phoenix loses Paul Harris to injury but still beats NLEX in Christmas clash

PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Phoenix overcame the early absence of Paul Harris to topple NLEX, 102-93, in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup Saturday at Araneta Coliseum.

Phoenix’s locals, led by its star shooter Matthew Wright, stepped up to pick up the slack after Harris went down with an injury just less than three minutes into the Christmas clash.

Wright scored a game-high 23 points built on six triples and had nine rebounds and four assists for the Fuel Masters.

Justin Chua added 19 points and six rebounds off the bench while Chris Banchero also played a significant role in the big victory with 17 points and five steals for Phoenix (3-2), which dealt NLEX its first loss of the conference.

It was a solid defensive effort by the Fuel Masters, who put the clamps down on the Road Warriors’ explosive import KJ McDaniels.

McDaniels, who came into the game averaging a league-best 33 points per game, was held to just 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting from the field.

Calvin Oftana led NLEX, which won its first four games, with 18 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two blocks.