The Fuel Masters showed their composure.
The Phoenix Fuel Masters notched their second victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after escaping the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 99-98, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The match was a game of runs, as the Fuel Masters jumped to a huge 20-point lead at one point in the second quarter. But the Elasto Painters clawed their way back and even took the lead by the end of the third quarter.
Phoenix would then snatch the advantage once more from Rain or Shine, which proved to be enough to complete the win.
The reason for the Fuel Masters win? Coach Jamike Jarin had one person in mind: Import Johnathan Williams. He finished with 29 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks.
“I'm very fortunate to be coaching him. He's not just a great player, he's just a great person inside and out,” said Jarin, while seated beside Williams, in the postgame press conference.
The 28-year-old forward, who had brief stints with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Washington Wizards deflected the credit to his teammates for battling through adversity.
“Basketball is a game of runs. Rain or Shine, they made their runs in the second quarter and also the third and fourth, but we stuck together as a team, and we just kept fighting on to the very last second,” said Williams.
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Jarin, meanwhile, took the blame for their numerous leads disappearing during the game. But he also explained that it came with the risk he took.
“I was putting in combinations that we're not used to because I really wanted exposure for our players,” said Jarin. “I should have called more timeouts, but I wanted them to grow.”
The Fuel Masters improved to 2-1 and will look to grab back-to-back wins against the Blackwater Bossing on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The still-winless Elasto Painters, meanwhile, will face the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel also on Friday.
(PM)