Running on full tank

Phoenix scores 6th straight win

MANILA, Philippines —  Jonathan Williams III served as the fire-starter anew as Phoenix continued to burn brightest in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Williams turned in a comprehensive 38-point, 19-rebound and nine-assist stats-line to power the streaking Fuel Masters past NorthPort, 113-104, last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Untouchable for six games now, the red-hot Phoenix cagers have set a new all-time longest win streak in franchise history.

At 7-1 overall, they drew level with Magnolia atop the standings and stayed well on track in their quest for Top 4 and twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Williams, J3 to his teammates, instigated the 26-15 fourth-quarter barrage that enabled Phoenix to break away from the Batang Pier after three tightly-fought quarters.

The Phoenix import dropped 11 in that decisive run.

“We were kind of sluggish at the start but we did fight to the very end,” said Williams, who breached the 30-point plateau for the first time in the tournament and hauled his conference-best output in rebounds.

“My teammates also made some crunch plays throughout the game,” he added.

Phoenix got the job done against NorthPort (5-4) even without top local scorer Jason Perkins, who was under the weather.

Perkins’ missing averages of 12.5 markers and 6.14 boards were filled up by Ken Tuffin (15), Tyler Tio (14), Larry Muyang (10) and Javee Mocon (eight).

“We really felt his (Perkins’) absence but all the players stepped up,” said assistant coach Jon Jacinto, speaking on behalf of coach Jamike Jarin in the post-game presscon. “Outside of J3, I think players coming off the bench like Ricci, Javee, Larry Muyang played well.”

Venky Jois, with 27 and 15, paced the Batang Pier, who failed to score the quarterfinals-clinching sixth win for the second straight match.

Arvin Tolentino added 19 and eight. But Fran Yu, who sizzled with 31 last game, wound up scoreless this time around.