Phoenix import Brandone Francis.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Phoenix kicked it up a notch in the middle quarters and then found another gear late on Sunday night to beat Blackwater, 119-114, and breakthrough in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Fuel Masters rode the hot hands of RR Garcia and import Brandone Francis at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City to finally put an end to their dry spell and breathe life into their flickering playoff hopes.
“We got a win, we got over the hope. Hopefully—and we’ll work for it—we’d win the next games,” said Phoenix head coach Jamike Jarin, whose crew improved to 1-7 overall, finally leaving the also-ran Terrafirma Dyip as the lone team yet to secure a win in the import-laden showcase.
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Garcia delivered 16 of his total 20 points in the final period where Blackwater tried to mount a comeback.
Francis had a near triple-double of 23 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to turn in yet another steady effort for the petrol squad.
The Bossing, to nobody’s surprise, got the goods from import George King who finished with 32 points. Rookie Sedrick Barefield added 30 while James Kwekuteye 20 as the club slid to 3-5 in Group B play.
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Phoenix can still make a last-ditch effort to salvage its conference by sweeping its last two games, but it will be a tall order as those matches will be against Barangay Ginebra and NLEX—two sides who are fighting tooth and nail to stay within the qualifying threshold.
Blackwater, which can further complicate a potential logjam in the middle, will have Rain or Shine and then San Miguel on its schedule next.