Hulking import Donovan Smith flexed his muscles and towed Phoenix to a 122-108 victory over Terrafirma and back to the winning column in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

With his team in dire need of victory to keep itself in contention for a playoff spot, Smith put the Fuel Masters on his shoulders and dropped 37 points to go with seven rebounds and five blocks to add to the misery of the still winless Dyip.

The win pumped life to Phoenix’s playoff hopes as it improved to a 2-5 record although the Fuel Masters are still outside the magic 8 at the 11th spot.

Still, the win was an encouraging sign and could even be the start of better fortunes for Phoenix which opened the conference winless through four games with half of it decided only by three or less points.

Even the game against Terrafirma looked to be heading into a tight affair with the Dyip rallying in the second half and even cut a once 16-point deficit to just eight with four minutes left in the final frame.

Smith, however, along with Jason Perkins made sure they would not be denied this time as they took turns in delivering the big hits to keep Terrafirma at bay.

Perkins added 16 points while Ricci Rivero and Tyler Tio added 14 and 10 for Phoenix which seized control of the contest behind a searing 31-13 second quarter explosion.

Dyip import Brandon Edwards and forward Louie Sangalang provided the bright spots to the yet another gloomy campaign for Terrafirma which remained winless through eight games.

Edwards had 25 points and 10 rebounds while Sangalang chipped in 22. Even Brent Paraiso had an impressive game with 16 so as Mark Nonoy with 10 but all of it went down the drain anew.