Phoenix Super LPG avoided the upset on Monday afternoon after rallying in the second half to beat Blackwater, 100-95, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
Led by their main weapons, the Fuel Masters were able to erase a 16-point deficit early in the third quarter to officially punch their way into the quarterfinals with a 7-3 record.
Jason Perkins and Calvin Abueva each registered a double-double, Matthew Wright produced some timely offense and Justin Chua was once again a menace on the boards for Phoenix in joining Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and TNT in the quarters.
Perkins had 18 points and 12 rebounds, Abueva was flirted at a triple-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks and Wright fired 17 points.
Chua once again showed why he has become an important piece in the Phoenix puzzle by grabbing 11 rebounds and blocking six attempts while scoring seven points.
The Fuel Masters enhanced their chances of getting the twice-to-beat advantage given to the top four teams after the eliminations.
But Phoenix had to dig deep after Blackwater, already ousted from the playoff race, zoomed to a 45-34 halftime lead behind KG Canaleta. The Elite opened the third with five straight points to stretch the gap to 50-34.
The deficit didn’t last long as Phoenix went on a 21-4 run led primarily by Abueva, Brian Heruela and Wright, whose three put them ahead 55-54 with five minutes left in the period.
Blackwater wrest back control of the contest, building a 77-69 lead in the fourth until Phoenix responded with a 14-4 run to grab control for good at 83-81.
A Chua three made it 89-82 for the Fuel Masters, 3:34 to go, and Perkins put the icing on the cake several plays later with his own triple for 94-87 entering the final minute of the match.
Canaleta finished with 21 points but Blackwater’s woes continued with its eighth consecutive defeat, dropping to 2-8.
The scores:
PHOENIX 100 — Perkins 18, Abueva 17, Wright 17, Heruela 15, Garcia 9, Jazul 9, Chua 7, Intal 6, Marcelo 2, Mallari 0, Rios 0.
BLACKWATER 95 — Canaleta 21, Belo 17, Trollano 13, Escoto 11, Tolomia 9, Sumang 8, Magat 8, Gabriel 4, Daquioag 2, Dario 2, Dennison 0, Golla 0, Salem 0.
Quarters: 15-21, 34-45, 67-70, 100-95.