Donovan Smith and the Phoenix Fuel Masters finally barged into the winning column of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, after staining the once NorthPort Batang Pier’s unbeaten record.
Donovan Smith and the Phoenix Fuel Masters picked no better time to tally their first win in the ongoingPBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
The import poured 20 points in the third quarter for the Fuel Masters, dealing the erstwhile unbeaten NorthPort Batang Pier their first loss of the tournament via a 115-109 game.
Entering the final frame leading at 84-76, the Fuel Masters recorded their biggest lead at 90-76 after a Ken Tuffin three with 11:00 minutes left.
NorthPort (5-1) cut the lead to as close as five points in the final three minutes but Phoenix kept the upper hand the rest of the way.
The Fuel Masters (1-4) will be back in action on Thursday, December 19 against the Converge FiberXers (3-2).
NorthPort eyes a bounce-back win against guest team Eastern (5-1) in the battle of the top two teams on Friday, December 20.
The Scores:
Phoenix 115 - Smith 32, Perkins 24, Tuffin 15, Jazul 14, Manganti 9, Soyud 7, Tio 5, Salado 4, Rivero 3, Verano 2, Daves 0, Ular 0, Alejandro 0, Garcia 0.
Northport 109 - Jack 28, Tolentino 23, Munzon 18, Nelle 15, Onwubere 11, Bulanadi 7, Navarro 3, Flores 2, Miranda 2, Yu 0, Cuntapay 0.
Quarterscores: 29-21, 54-45, 84-76, 115-109.