MANILA – Denzel Bowles carried the fight for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters down the stretch to score an 89-82 victory over Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters in the 2019 Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Bowles took advantage of the ouster of Fuel Masters’ import Richard Howell to turn a 70-76 deficit to a 77-76 advantage with a two-pointer, a triple and an inside hit with over three minutes left.
The Fuel Masters took the lead for the last time at 80-77 on a four-point play by Matthew Wright before the Painters countered with a two-pointer from Mark Borboran, a three-point play by Bowles and triple by Rey Nambatac for an 86-80 edge.
The Fuel Masters made its last push at 82-86 on an inside hit by Bacolodnon big man Justin Chua before the Painters iced the victory for good on shots from Nambatac and Bowles.
Bowles finished the match with 28 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, while Negrense James Yap and Javee Mocon added 15 markers apiece for the Painters, which improves to 2-2 card.
Howell tallied double-double 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Wright and Bacolodnon Luis Alfonso Revilla had 15 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Fuel Masters, which dropped to 1-3 card.
In the first game, the Alaska Aces cruised to its third consecutive victory following a 93-89 escape over the Meralco Bolts behind the clutch conversions from Chris Banchero.
The Aces seemed headed to an easy victory after erecting a 68-55 advantage but the Bolts countered with a huge run to come to within 87-88 after a three-pointer from Baser Amer but Banchero countered with a 5-2 blast to seal the win for the Aces.
Banchero led the way with 23 points and nine rebounds, Vic Manuel added 17 markers, while Robert Daniels had 12 markers for the Aces (4-2). Gani Lawal had double-double 27 points and 26 rebounds for the Bolts (3-3)./PN
