The young guns just proved that they belong to the big league.
Against a predominantly pro-Gin Kings crowd, Encho Serrano and Tyler Tio didn’t shy away from the spotlight and delivered solid numbers as Phoenix Super LPG yielded the upset axe on Barangay Ginebra, 101-93, to notch its first win streak in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, Oct. 14.
Fresh off a career-game the last time out, Tio saw his three-point shooting got taken away by the Kings defense but managed to work around it and orchestrated Phoenix’s attack that enabled guys like Serrano, Javee Mocon, Sean Anthony and import Caleb Wesson to improve to 2-3 record in the standings.
Tio showed maturity beyond his years as he reacted well on Ginebra defense, finishing with 17 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting from the field while also tying his career-best assists with seven dimes.
Serrano also took a share of the limelight as he kept Ginebra's defense on its heels with daredevil drives to finish with 16 points while Mocon and Anthony provided the veteran presence with 20 points and 14 points each.
Wesson put up a solid showing of 15 points, 17 rebounds and five assists.
The Fuel Masters recovered from a slow start where they found themselves staring at a double-digit deficit, 21-11, in the first frame. Mocon, Serrano, and Tio then came alive in the second quarter to keep Phoenix within striking distance in the middle quarters, trailing by just three, 48-45, at the break and 77-74 heading into the final frame.
Phoenix then turned its offense to a higher gear with Tio issuing great passes to open teammates, igniting a 14-2 run to take an 88-79 lead following a booming triple from RJ Jazul. Justin Brownlee and Stanley Pringle tried to carry the fight for Ginebra with consecutive baskets but were quickly nullified by timely hits from Mocon and Tio as the Fuel Masters stretched the lead to 10, 96–86 halfway through the final frame.
Ginebra had a last ditch run to cut the lead down to just five, 96-91, but Tio and Wesson kept the Gin Kings at bay.
Pringle had his best game so far for Ginebra with 25 points while Brownlee added 23 but were not enough as Ginebra wasted all of the momentum it got from its momentous win over Bay Area in its last game.