PBA: Phoenix bolsters playoff bid with win over Rain or Shine
RR Garcia. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines-Phoenix seized the advantage of having to face a Rain or Shine team that played without its new import and bolstered its quarterfinal aspirations with a 114-106 victory in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Fuel Masters went on a run late in the first quarter to eventually build a huge lead and kept the Elasto Painters at bay despite multiple comeback attempts in the second half to secure a third consecutive win and an inside track at a spot in the last eight.
“It feels good, but we don’t look good,” said Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin, noting that Phoenix is still not yet out of the woods despite a 4-5 record and a 1/2 game lead on closest pursuers at No. 8 in 2-6 teams NorthPort and Terrafirma.
Also next on the schedule for Phoenix are heavyweights Barangay Ginebra on Friday at the Big Dome and Meralco on Sunday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Veteran guard RR Garcia and rookie Encho Serrano, recently named PBA Press Corps Player of the Week, scored 17 points each to pace the Fuel Masters, who scored 16 unanswered points to end the first quarter on top 29-14.
Jason Perkins had 16 points and five rebounds while import Du’Vaughn Maxwell had 15 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, five steals and five blocks.
Rain or Shine dropped to 2-7 after being forced to play sans Jordan Tolbert, who was over the maximum height limit of 6-foot-6.
Even without Tolbert, the Elasto Painters made repeated rallies, the closest being at four at 110-106 with 39 seconds left. But Maxwell scored on the ensuing play to make sure that the Fuel Masters won’t suffer a major collapse.
The Scores:
PHOENIX 114 — Garcia 17, Serrano 17, Perkins 16, Maxwell 15, Tio 14, Muyang 8, Manganti 7, Mocon 7, Lalata 6, Jazul 3, Lojera 3, Alejandro 1, Camacho 0, Adamos 0, Go 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 106 — Santillan 14, Torres 14, Belga 13, Nambatac 11, Mamuyac 10, Borboran 8, Ildefonso 7, Nieto 6, Yap 5, Demusis 5, Norwood 5, Caracut 5, Asistio 3, Ponferrada 0, Clarito 0.
Quarters: 29-14, 67-46, 89-76, 114-106.
