MANILA, Philippines – The Phoenix Fuel Masters picked up their second victory and kept the Terrafirma Dyip winless in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after cruising to a 122-108 rout at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, January 7.
Phoenix import Donovan Smith made his presence felt on both ends of the floor as he dropped 37 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
Jason Perkins backstopped Smith with 16 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting, Ricci Rivero added 14, while Tyler Tio and Kai Ballungay poured in 10 markers apiece, as the Fuel Masters improved to a 2-5 card.
After trailing by as many as 9 points in the early goings of the second period, 29-38, the Fuel Masters stepped on the gas and unleashed a fiery 18-2 blast for a 47-40 edge with 6:31 to play in the quarter.
Phoenix then wrapped up the first half with an 11-point advantage, 60-49, before pushing its lead even further to its largest at 16 points, 67-51, off an and-one play by Tio at the 9:20 mark of the third frame.
A late third-quarter fightback by the Dyip got them to within 4 points heading into the final period, 84-88, but that was the closest they could get as Perkins and Smith immediately restored order for the Fuel Masters early in the fourth, bringing their lead back up to double figures, 102-91, with 7:59 left.
Import Brandon Edwards led the Dyip with 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting and 10 rebounds, but his efficient double-double performance went to waste as they fell to 0-8.
Louie Sangalang helped Edwards carry Terrafirma’s scoring load with 22 points, while Brent Paraiso contributed 16.
The Scores
Phoenix 122 – Smith 37, Perkins 16, Rivero 14, Tio 10, Ballungay 10, Tuffin 8, Muyang 7, Jazul 4, Alejandro 4, Daves 3, Manganti 3, Garcia 2, Salado 2, Verano 2, Ular 0.
Terrafirma 108 – Edwards 25, Sangalang 22, Paraiso 16, Nonoy 12, Carino 11, Hernandez 7, Manuel 6, Melecio 5, Pringle 2, Ramos 2, Catapusan 0.
Quarters: 29-36, 60-49, 88-84, 122-108.
– Rappler.com