Phoenix finally enters winning column to stay alive
The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters finally clinched a victory in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup when they defeated Blackwater Bossing, 119-114 on Sunday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Import Brandone Francis and veteran RR Garcia gave the lift for the Fuel masters in the end game to get their first ever victory of the season.
Francis scored a team-high 23 points, including seven in the last 49 seconds of play to put an end to the run of Bossing, which had a 20-point third quarter deficit.
Garcia played a vital role too by contributing 16 of his 20 total points in the final canto when Blackwater came within 98-102 with 6:42 remaining in the game.
Three more Fuel Masters scored in double figures to get their important win. Jason Perkins tallied 19 markers while Ricci Rivero added 14 and rookie Kai Ballungay had 12.
"As long as we got some schedules, games to be played, we will continue playing our best," said Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin. "So we're gonna come out in our next game well prepared and going for a win."
Garcia said he simply wanted to grant Jarin's wish for a breakthrough. "Yesterday, coach requested to give him a win today. That’s what’s in my mind and that’s my motivation,” said the 34-year-old guard.
On the other hand, Blackwater has suffered their second straight defeat. They fell at 3-5 and now placed 5th in Group B. Only the top four teams in each group will advance to the crossover quarterfinals.
As usual, the usual performers led the Bossing. Import George King scored 32, rookie Sedrick Barefiled added 30, sophomore James Kwekuteye contributed 20, and veterans Troy Rosario and Richard Escoto produced 10 each.
The Scores :
PHOENIX 119 - Francis 23, Garcia 20, Perkins 19, Rivero 14, Ballungay 12, Tio 7, Ular 5, Tuffin 5, Jazul 4, Soyud 3, Manganti 3, Muyang 2, Salado 2, Verano 0, Alejandro 0.
BLACKWATER 114 - King 32, Barefield 30, Kwekuteye 20, Rosario 10, Escoto 10, Ilagan 4, Chua 3, Suerte 3, David 2, Micthell 0, Casio 0.
QUARTERS: 30-29, 64-47, 90-78, 119-114.
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The Hawks responded in the third canto with a 26–18 run to trim the deficit to just six, 79–73.
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In the Western Conference, the No. 9 seed Sacramento Kings will take on the No. 10 seed Dallas Mavericks, while the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors will battle the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies.
The winner of the 9-vs-10 matchup will then face the loser of the 7-vs-8 game for the right to claim the No. 8 seed in the Playoffs, earning a showdown with the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder.
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