Phoenix secures QF bonus with narrow win over Rain or Shine


Calvin Abueva of Phoenix fights for the ball against Beau Belga, Javee Mocon and James Yap of Rain or Shine. (PBA Images)

SMART CLARK GIGA CITY--Phoenix Super LPG clinched the second seed after pulling off a come-from-behind 90-88 win over Rain or Shine in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the Angeles University Foundation Arena. 

The Fuel Masters fought their way back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter en route to securing a twice-to-beat incentive with an 8-3 win-loss record. 

Phoenix will take on No. 7 Magnolia, which is on a six-game winning streak heading to the playoffs. 

"We know that Magnolia is a strong team (but) we just wanna make sure that when we get out of this bubble, we know that we gave our best," said Robinson.

Rain or Shine squandered a golden chance to snare a playoff advantage as it dropped all the way down No. 8 with a 6-5 slate, putting them in a tussle versus top seed Barangay Ginebra.  

TNT (7-4) and SMB (7-4) got win-once bonuses for amassing superior quotient against quarterfinal foes Alaska (7-4) and Meralco (7-4), respectively. 

Jason Perkins exploded with 30 points, including a putback that gave Phoenix an 86-85 lead with 33.1 seconds left in the game before Calvin Abueva sealed the deal with a wide-open layup.

Justin Chua chalked up a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds while Matthew Wright finished with 11 markers and eight assists for the Fuel Masters, who also drew big triples from RJ Jazul down the stretch. 

Javee Mocon and Jewel Ponferada led the Elasto Painters with 13 points apiece even as Beau Belga had 12 markers. 

The scores: 

PHOENIX 90 -- Perkins 30, Chua 21, Wright 11, Abueva 7, Jazul 6, Intal 5, Heruela 3, Garcia 3, Napoles 2, Rios 2, Marcelo 0, Mallari 0 

RAIN OR SHINE 88 -- Mocon 13, Ponferada 13, Belga 12,  Yap 8, Nambatac 7, Torres 7, Onwubere 6, Doliguez 6, Arana 6, Borboran 4, Norwood 2, Rivero 2, Rosales 2, Wong 0, Tolentino 0 

Quarters: 21-24, 46-42, 59-66, 90-88