MANILA – Jayjay Alejandro caught fire in the fourth quarter as Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters scored a come-from-behind 113-101 victory over NLEX Road Warriors in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Down 78-86 to start the fourth quarter, Alejandro spearheaded the Fuel Masters’ run with three consecutive three pointers as they took an 87-86 lead with over 10 minutes left.
After several lead changes, the Fuel Masters went on a finishing run behind rookie Ricci Rivero, import Johnathan Williams III, and Javee Mocon as the lead reached its biggest at 18 points after another triple from Alejandro.
Alejandro finished the contest with 18 points, 12 of which came in the fourth quarter, to go with two assists in almost 18 minutes of action off the bench for the new-look Fuel Masters.
Williams tallied a double-double of 26 points and 14 rebounds, Tyler Tio added 17 markers, while Kenneth Tuffin and Rivero made their PBA debuts with 16 and 15 markers, respectively.
Thomas Robinson led the Road Warriors with 26 points but was benched for most part of the fourth quarter, while Celedonio Trollano, Kevin Alas, and Sean Anthony had 20, 18 and 15 markers, respectively.
In the first game, NorthPort Batang Pier banked on a huge fourth quarter breakaway to score a come-from-behind 108-103 victory over Terrafirma Dyip to open the conference on a winning note.
From an 85-all score, the Batang Pier pulled to a 97-92 lead courtesy of baskets from Arvin Tolentino and Fran Yu, but the Dyip responded with a run to take a 98-97 lead on a Juan Miguel Tiongson hit.
Venkatesha Jois then unloaded consecutive hits to give NorthPort a 103-98 lead. Terrafirma made its last push at 101-103 but free throws by Jois and Tolentino sealed the win for the Batang Pier.
Jois led the way for the Batang Pier with 43 points and 10 rebounds, Tolentino added 16 markers, while Joshua Munzon and Ilonggo Paul Zamar ended with 11 and 10 markers, respectively./PN
BOX SCORE:
PHOENIX 113 – Williams 26, Alejandro 18, Tio 17, Tuffin 16, Rivero 15, Mocon 11, Jazul 5, Muyang 3, Daves 2, Manganti 0, Camacho 0, Perkins 0, Soyud 0, Verano 0.
NLEX 101 – Robinson 26, Trollano 20, Alas 18, Anthony 15, Semerad 9, Nieto 6, Marcelo 3, Rodger 2, Miranda 2, Herndon 0, Rosales 0.
Quarterscores: 27-25, 49-60, 78-86, 113-101.