Texters rain triples on Fuel Masters, stay perfect

Game Saturday

(Panabo, Davao del Norte)

5 p.m. – Alaska vs Star

MANILA, Philippines – Red-hot TNT KaTropa cut loose from a tight game on a hail of 3-pointers in the third quarter and stormed past Phoenix Petroleum, 124-117, to virtually claim a spot in the playoffs of the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo Friday night.

Averaging only 9.2 3-point conversions per game, the Texters drained nine just in one quarter in this match and rattled in a total of 19 -- the most by any team in this tourney this far – to keep their perfect record in six outings.

Syrian gunner Michael Madanly fired away three treys, Ranidel de Ocampo knocked in a pair while Kris Rosales, Ryan Reyes, Larry Fonacier and Jason Castro added one each to fuel their back-breaking breakaway from a 52-all halftime count.

Unable to find an answer on TNT’s fiery shooting, the Fuel Masters went down reeling with a fourth loss against two wins.

Meanwhile, the Star Hotshots and the Alaska Milk Aces, tied at 1-4, try to catch up with the Fuel Masters as they face off in the Petron Blaze Saturday Special at the Panabo Sports Center in Panabo, Davao del Norte tonight.

“We shot the ball well, especially Madanly, and that allowed us to make the breakaway,” said TNT coach Jong Uichico.

Even with a spot in the Final Eight looking in the bag, Uichico said they would keep their mindset of trying to win as many games as they can.

“We're trying to maintain concentration in the game and even in practice. We want to keep it at a high no matter what's happening in the game,” said Uichico.

Completely focused was Madanly, the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship scoring champion, who erupted for 30 points, including 8-of-13 three-pointers.

Mychal Ammons produced 22 points and 18 boards while De Ocampo, Rosales and Castro contributed double-digit markers as they easily negated Eugene Phelps’ 49 points and 18 boards for the Fuel Masters.

The Texters tore the Fuel Masters apart in the third quarter, 36-16, hardly giving coach Ariel Vanguardia a chance to win his first faceoff with his original PBA team.

The two teams engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle in the first half marked by 16 lead changes and eight dead locks.

But the Fuel Masters fell apart in the third period, suddenly staggering with seven errors and a measly 30 percent shooting.

In the same period, the Texters sparkled with an amazing 64-percent three-point shooting and a 50-percent overall clip.

Their 19 total treys matched the season’s best – No. 6 overall in league history.