The Fuel Masters drop to the no. 4 spot, and NLEX is eliminated from contention.
TNT Tropang Giga flipped the switch in the third period and drubbed Phoenix Fuel Masters 116-96 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday.
The big win allowed the Tropang Giga to formalize their entry into the playoffs with a 5-6 win-loss record, and will take on top-seed Magnolia Hotshots in the quarterfinals.
After a tight first half, the Tropang Giga turned it up in the third period and outscored the Fuel Masters, 37-25, to take an 88-78 advantage entering the fourth.
TNT, which welcomed RR Pogoy back after being out five months due to a heart ailment, refused to ease on the gas pedal from there.
Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson went on a tear and made an alley-oop flush to give the team a 100-83 lead with still over nine minutes remaining in the game.
Minutes later, Kim Aurin would score a layup on the break for a 105-86 lead they would never relinquish.
Hollis-Jefferson ended up with 35 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists, getting his first PBA win with TNT. Calvin Oftana scored 19 points, while Aurin had 18 in a starting role.
Pogoy finished with 11 points and three assists for his comeback game.
"It's a welcome sight having Roger back," said TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa.
Meanwhile, the Fuel Masters fell to no. 4 and arranged a quarterfinal tiff against the Meralco Bolts. Phoenix holds a twice-to-beat for that series.
Johnathan Williams paced Fuel Masters (8-3) with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.