Phoenix import Jonathan Williams.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Phoenix maintained its status as among the many top teams of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after pulling away within the fourth quarter to defeat NorthPort, 113-104, Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Johnathan Williams accounted for nearly half of the team scored within the payoff period to propel the Fuel Masters to a sixth straight win, tying a franchise record.
Williams finished with 38 points, 19 rebounds, nine assists, three steals and two blocks for Phoenix, which now has a 7-1 record.
The Fuel Masters as of posting time hold a share of the lead with the Magnolia Hotshots, who in the opposite game of the twinbill were scheduled to face the Terrafirma Dyip.
Rookie Ken Tuffin scored 15 points while Tyler Tio added 14 for Phoenix within the win that got here despite missing Jason Perkins resulting from flu.
Phoenix rookie Ken Tuffin.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
NorthPort absorbed its second straight defeat and is now out of the highest 4 with a 5-4 record.
Venky Jois, the Batang Pier reinforcement, had 27 points, 15 rebounds and five assists, not enough to finish the Fuel Masters’ winning run.
The Batang Pier welcomed recent acquisitions Allyn Bulanadi and Kris Rosales, each hardly used after they were a part of a three-team trade that sent Robert Bolick to the NLEX Road Warriors and Don Trollano to the San Miguel Beermen.
Each teams were still in a seesaw battle until Williams led Phoenix on a run where it scored nine in a row to show a 95-all deadlock right into a 104-95 lead, six minutes remaining in the competition.
The scores:
PHOENIX 113—Williams 38, Tuffin 15, Tio 14, Muyang 10, Mocon 8, Rivero 8, Alejandro 6, Jazul 6, Garcia 4, Verano 3, Manganti 1, Camacho 0, Lalata 0, Daves 0.
NORTHPORT 104—Jois 27, Tolentino 19, Munzon 13, Flores 12, Calma 11, Zamar 7, Bulanadi 6, Chan 3, Amores 3, Paraiso 2, Caperal 1, Yu 0, Rosales 0, Adamos 0..
