Petron Blaze Boosters vs Air21 Express

MANILA, Philippines – Despite his foot infirmity, Nicholas Fazekas is proving to be a very effective import for Petron Blaze.

Fazekas, quick and good though moving with a limp, erupted with a season-high 45 points that went with 22 rebounds as the Boosters repulsed Marcus Douthit and the Air21 Express, 102-88, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The 6-foot-11 NBA veteran went 14-of-21 from the field and 17-of-21 from the stripe as he showed up Douthit, leading the Boosters to a second straight win after a 0-2 (win-loss) start in the mid-season tourney.

“I just had a pretty good night. That’s the case,” said Fazekas, erasing the previous season best of 42 points made by Gary David for Powerade during the Philippine Cup elimination round.

Petron coach Ato Agustin said former Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman helped Fazekas prepare against Douthit.

And Fazekas just secured his job as he handed the Boosters a second win. Agustin admitted they considered an import change after losing their first two games in the tourney.

“He stays for the rest of the tourney unless he gets injured,” said Agustin.

Douthit didn’t do bad with 23 points and 22 rebounds.

Fazekas, however, proved better at least in this particular game, distinguishing himself as the first player in the league in two years to put up a 40-point, 20-rebound game. Clif Brown was the most recent to do the feat, churning out 43 points and 20 rebounds for Derby Ace in a game in the 2010 Fiesta Conference.

The Petron locals put in their share as they sent the Express back to earth after notching a first win for the franchise in their first game in the tourney versus the Barako Bull Express.