By ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters squandered a double-digit lead before pulling off a 91-88 escape over TNT Tropang Giga in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
After seeing their once 17-point lead turned to an 88-all count by a furious Tropang Giga fourth quarter run, the Fuel Masters regained the lead at 89-88 via a split free throw by Encho Serrano.
The Tropang Giga missed on opportunities to take the lead, which led to two freebies by Tyler Tio to widen the Fuel Masters’ edge to 91-88. TNT had a chance to send the match into overtime but Cameron Oliver missed his three-point attempt at the buzzer.
Kaleb Wesson led the way with double-double 23 points and 17 rebounds to go with four steals, three assists and three blocks as the Fuel Masters recorded its fifth straight win for a 5-3 slate.
Serrano continued his solid game with 16 points, including two outside conversions, while Javee Mocon and RJ Jazul ended up with 13 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Fuel Masters.
Calvin Oftana finished with 27 points, including seven three-point conversions, Roger Pogoy added 22 markers, while Oliver had double-double 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Tropang Giga dropped to 3-4.
In the first game, Converge FiberXers rode on a late spurt to defeat Blackwater Bossing, 77-71, for their fourth straight win and 5-2 win-loss slate. The Bossing dropped to 3-5 record.
Down 66-68 midway in the fourth quarter, Alec Stockton tied the score for Converge for a layup before he and Regile Kent Ilagan surged the FiberXers ahead, 72-68, with back-to-back hits.
With the Bossing misfiring with their shots, Quincy Miller put the game away for the FiberXers with a layup and a three-point play for a 77-68 advantage with over a minute remaining.
Miller tallied double-double 22 points and 19 rebounds, Stockton chipped in career-high 15 points, while Abu Tratter contributed double-double 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Fuel Masters.
BOX SCORE:
PHOENIX 91 – Wesson 23, Serrano 16, Mocon 13, Jazul 12, Lojera 6, Camacho 6, Anthony 6, Tio 6, Pascual 3, Manganti 0, Muyang 0, Rios 0, Garcia 0, Robles 0.
TNT 88 – Oftana 27, Pogoy 22, Oliver 20, Khobuntin 8, Castro 6, Montalbo 3, K. Williams 2, Erram 0, Alejandro 0, Heruela 0, Marcelo 0.
Quarterscores: 17-7, 47-38, 74-71, 91-88./PN
