The Fuel Masters continue their winning streak.
The Phoenix Fuel Masters extended their winning streak to four games after escaping the Converge FiberXers, 99-98, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
It was a back-and-forth affair between the two squads throughout the game.
Come late in the fourth quarter, the Fuel Masters would cling on to a slim lead which was eventually cut by the FiberXers in the final minute.
Trailing by a single point in the closing moments, Coach Jamike Jarin drew up a perfect play where Jason Perkins successfully located (Ken) Tuffin in the key, setting up an uncontested layup.
On the other side of the court, Phoenix forced Converge’s Aljun Melecio to a tough fadeaway jumper that narrowly brushed the rim.
"There were options in that play, but one of the options there was Ken if there was no pass, so good thing Perk saw it. They had some scramble on the back screen for (Jonathan Williams) and fortunate for us, (Ken Tuffin) made a basket,” Jarin said during the post-game press conference.
While it was Tuffin who scored the all-important basket, Phoenix was carried throughout by their import Jonathan Williams, who finished with 27 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists on top of two blocks and two steals.
“It took our entire unit, entire team to go out there and get the win. They made a lot of runs throughout the entire game but we stayed together, we fought hard to the very end,” said Williams.
With the win, the Fuel Masters propelled themselves to a solo second spot with a 5-1 record. The FiberXers, on the other hand, remain winless after five games.
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Phoenix will have a week to rest and prepare before their next game as they face the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on December 9 in San Jose, Batangas.
Converge, meanwhile, will seek its first win in the conference as they go up against the NorthPort Batang Pier on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena.
(CF)