PBA: Phoenix douses Rain or Shine’s hot streak

Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Ken Tuffin stars in their victory over Rain or Shine in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –MARLO CUETO/IINQUIRER.net

Kenneth Tuffin scored a putback with 0.3 ticks remaining to will Phoenix past red-hot Rain or Shine, 93-91, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday night.

The Filipino-Kiwi forward cleaned up a Jason Perkins miss to help the petrol club escape the Elastopainters by the skin of their teeth and to a second straight victory to start the new year.

READ: PBA: Jordan Heading carries Converge past Phoenix

“Any win in this conference is very big. First winning streak for Phoenix this conference, so we’re just happy and very proud,” head coach Jamike Jarin shortly after the upset at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.

Tyler Tio starred with 15 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals. Import Donovan Smith had 20 points and 10 rebound while Tuffin finished with eight points as the Fuel Masters improved to 3-5, inching closer to the qualifying threshold for the next round.

The Elastopainters leaned on import Deon Thompson who had 22 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and five steals. Santi Santillan chipped in 19 points, while Adrian Nocum and Jhonard Clarito at least 11 points each in the losing effort that saw an end to the club’s five-game winning streak.

READ: PBA: Phoenix scores 2nd win, routs Terrafirma

Phoenix, which dealt league-leading NorthPort its lone loss this tournament, will battle Magnolia next.

Rain or Shine, meanwhile, hopes to rebound against a Converge whose streak was also snapped by TNT in the earlier game.

The Scores:

PHOENIX 93 – Smith 22, Tio 16, Garcia 14, Perkins 12, Jazul 11, Ballungay 8, Tuffin 8, Daves 2, Verano 0, Muyang 0, Alejandro 0, Camacho 0, Ular 0

RAIN OR SHINE 91 – Thompson 22, Santillan 19, Nocum 16, Clarito 11, Caracut 8, Datu 7, Belga 5, Demusis 3, Malonzo 0, Asistio 0, Ildefonso 0, Norwood 0

QUARTERS : 17-18, 50-46, 70-71, 93-91.

12Q