MANILA, Philippines — Rising above on-court and off-court adversity, Phoenix roared to a 111-97 win over coach Frankie Lim and NLEX for its breakthrough win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the PhilSports Arena.
The determined Fuel Masters drew a career game from rookie Tyler Tio and strong efforts from import Kaleb Wesson and Javee Mocon to end a three-game slide to start the conference.
Tio (26 points spiked by five triples to go with seven assists), Wesson (22 markers, 21 rebounds and seven dimes) and Mocon (23-9-6) sealed a decisive 30-20 barrage that lifted the embattled Phoenix to the erstwhile elusive victory.
Coach Topex Robinson’s troops entered the win column on their fourth try, doing so amid uncertainties brought about by their team owner’s legal woes.
“We just focused on what we could control as a team. The outside noise, there’s nothing we could do about it. So as professionals, we owed it to ourselves and our families to do our job,” said Tio.
Robinson said the team is motivated to put in the work and “repay” the trust and continued support of families and especially management in these times.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, right now, only our families are believing in us so that’s way enough motivation for us,” he said.
“And this shows how dedicated the guys are to our families and management for always believing in us,” he added.
On their way to the first W, the Fuel Masters ruined the Road Warriors’ grand plans of giving Lim a winning start and stopped their streak at two wins.
In the nightcap, RR Pogoy rifled in eight booming three-pointers in a 32-point sizzler to spearhead TNT to a bounceback 117-93 romp over NorthPort for 1-1. The Batang Pier slid to 2-2.
Lim called the shots for the first time since his appointment to the post vacated by Yeng Guiao. He gave way to deputy Adonis Tierra in the first game and served a pending suspension from 2015 in their second outing.
Earl Clark dished out 36-20-8 in a losing cause for NLEX, which slipped to joint third at 2-1.
Meanwhile, pacesetting Bay Area stakes its spotless 4-0 record against Barangay Ginebra (1-1) today in the same Pasig venue.
NBA veteran Andrew Nicholson took over import duties from Myles Powell as the Dragons test the Justin Brownlee-led Gin Kings and their famous “sixth man” in the 6:45 p.m. encounter.
Rain or Shine (2-1) shoots for its third straight triumph in the 4:30 p.m. opener against a San Miguel Beer side that dropped a lousy 109-106 loss to Blackwater last Wednesday.