At A Glance
- Phoenix barged into the win column and kept defending champion San Miguel winless, 109-103, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Oct. 12.
Phoenix barged into the win column and kept defending champion San Miguel winless, 109-103, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Oct. 12.
Ricci Rivero, Jason Perkins, Tyler Tio and Evan Nelle all delivered for the Fuel Masters who built a sizeable margin in the final frame before they fended off a late Beermen run to give Willy Wilson his first win as PBA head coach.
Rivero led the way with 16 points and seven rebounds while Tio and Kai Ballungay finished with 10 apiece.
Perkins finished with 13 points while Nelle had nine points and 10 assists.
The Fuel Masters improved to a 1-1 record while the Beermen dropped to a 0-2 slate.
Phoenix’s victory, however, did not come without a scare as, after taking a 100-84 lead over SMB, the Fuel Masters had to face a huge uprising from the Beermen, who cut the deficit down to just four, 107-103, with 44 seconds left.
Nelle, though, coolly sank two pressure-packed free throws to keep SMB at bay.
June Mar Fajardo finished with 19 points and 22 rebounds but had to bleed for all of it after facing triple teams from Phoenix big men.
Don Trollano finished with 18 points while CJ Perez had 17 in a losing effort