MANILA, Philippines – The Phoenix Fuel Masters hit two birds with one stone in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup as they picked up their first win and handed the NorthPort Batang Pier their first defeat of the conference with a 115-109 upset at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday, December 17.
Phoenix import Donovan Smith finally saw his huge numbers translate into a victory as he delivered 32 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks, including the two crucial free throws that iced the win for the Fuel Masters with 47 seconds left after NorthPort cut a 10-point deficit into just five in the last two minutes.
Jason Perkins also came up big for Phoenix with 24 points on 12-of-18 shooting, while Kenneth Tuffin and RJ Jazul added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
On the other side, import Kadeem Jack paced the Batang Pier with 28 points and 16 rebounds, while Arvin Tolentino chipped in 23 markers.
With Phoenix enjoying a 112-102 lead with only 1:47 remaining, Tolentino and Jack scored four quick points to pull NorthPort within striking distance.
NorthPort’s Evan Nelle even had an opportunity to slice Phoenix’s lead to just a single possession with 1:06 left, but the rookie point guard only converted on one of his two free throws.
Despite the loss, NorthPort still remained at the top of the standings with a 5-1 slate.
Earlier, the Converge FiberXers scored a quick bounce-back win after a 102-91 rout of the NLEX Road Warriors.
After scoring only 13 points in their 108-101 loss to NorthPort in their previous match, Converge import Cheick Diallo went off for 37 points and 18 rebounds to lead the FiberXers to their third win in five games.
Alec Stockton backstopped Diallo with 16 points, Jordan Heading poured in 14 points and 11 rebounds, while top rookie Justine Baltazar racked up 4 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in his second PBA game.
NLEX reinforcement Mike Watkins posted another massive double-double of 36 points and 23 rebounds, but his efforts went down the drain as the Road Warriors suffered their second straight loss and dropped to an even 3-3 card.
Robert Bolick helped Watkins carry NLEX’s scoring load with 26 points.
The Scores
First Game
Converge 102 – Diallo 37, Stockton 16, Heading 14, Caralipio 10, Winston 8, Racal 6, Baltazar 4, Arana 4, Santos 3, Delos Santos 0, Cabagnot 0, Nieto 0.
NLEX 91 – Watkins 36, Bolick 26, Semerad 8, Alas 7, Amer 4, Torres 4, Valdez 2, Rodger 2, Herndon 2, Bahio 0, Policarpio 0.
Quarters: 28-18, 52-44, 77-72, 102-91.
Second Game
Phoenix 115 – Smith 32, Perkins 24, Tuffin 15, Jazul 14, Manganti 9, Soyud 7, Tio 5, Salado 4, Rivero 3, Verano 2, Daves 0, Ular 0, Alejandro 0, Garcia 0.
NorthPort 109 – Jack 28, Tolentino 23, Munzon 18, Nelle 15, Onwubere 11, Bulanadi 7, Navarro 3, Flores 2, Miranda 2, Yu 0, Cuntapay 0.
Quarters: 29-21, 54-45, 84-76, 115-109.
– Rappler.com