MANILA – Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters clinched the eighth and last quarterfinals seat in the 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup via a come-from-behind 101-98 win over NorthPort Batang Pier last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Du’Vaughn Maxwell led the way with double-double 31 points and 13 rebounds. Ryan Roose Garcia and Jason Perkins chipped in 19 and 18 markers, respectively.
With the win, the Fuel Masters will have a twice-to-win disadvantage over No.1 seed Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots.
Down by as much as 15 points in the opening half, the Fuel Masters slowly clawed its way back in the third quarter behind Maxwell, Garcia and Perkins to cut the deficit to 76-79.
Phoenix opened the fourth period with 9-0 blast to take an 85-79 lead but it was quickly erased by NorthPort before turning the match into a seesaw affair with the latter holding to a 98-97 edge on a triple by Arwind Santos.
Matthew Wright then scored on a three-point play to give the Phoenix a 100-98 lead. A split free throw by Garcia widened the lead to 101-98 before the Fuel Masters foiled the three-point tries of the Batang Pier.
Jamel Artis finished with double-double 21 points and 14 rebounds, while Robert Bolick Jr. and Jamie Malonzo added 19 and 15 points, respectively, as the Batang Pier bowed out of contention.
Meanwhile, Jorey Napoles drilled a go-ahead basket as Limitless Appmasters pulled off a 21-20 victory over TNT Tropang Giga in the finals of the PBA 3×3 Second Conference Leg 3.
The 6-foot-4 forward grabbed a crucial offensive rebound from a miss by Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser to score the game-winning basket and complete the Appmasters’ come-from-behind win.
Napoles finished the match with 14 points, Ganuelas-Rosser added six markers as the Appmasters notched its third leg championship after winning the last two in the first conference.
Meralco Bolts, meanwhile, salvaged a bronze medal finish following a 21-18 victory over Terrafirma Dyip. Alfred Batino led the Bolts with eight points, while Tonino Gonzaga added seven.
BOX SCORE:
PHOENIX 101 — Maxwell 31, Garcia 19, Perkins 18, Jazul 11, Wright 11, Demusis 4, Rios 3, Manganti 2, Melecio 2, Pascual 0, Robles 0.
NORTHPORT 98 — Artis 21, Bolick 19, Malonzo 15, Sumang 14, Santos 14, Ferrer 6, Balanza 4, Rike 3, Taha 2.
Quarterscores: 18-31, 46-55, 76-79, 101-98./PN
