Phoenix nixes Elite

Beermen absorb third loss

ANTIPOLO, Philippines — Phoenix Pulse continued to make good impression, stretching its best start in a tourney to four games as the Fuel Masters pummeled the Blackwater Elite, 114-95, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center here last night.

It’s a virtual no-contest as the Fuel Masters stormed to a big 24-point lead right in the opening quarter and stayed relentless and ruthless to fashion out the dominant wire-to-wire victory.

“We didn’t expect that outcome. Actually, we’re worried going to the game as we saw their flawless defense in their last game against Rain or Shine. We made some adjustment on our offense, but we stuck on our scheme defensively,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.

“We contained (Roi) Sumang in the early part. We knew we couldn’t contain all their six regular double-figure scorers. The idea was to contain at least two of them. We’re also able to limit Allein (Maliksi) as he got into early foul-trouble situation,” Alas pointed out.

Offensively, the Fuel Masters drew the usual productions of Calvin Abueva, Matthew Wright, Jason Perkins and Alex Mallari, and also got extra lift from Justin Chua, RJ Jazul and Jaypee Mendoza as Phoenix stayed unscathed in four starts in PBA Season 44.

The Fuel Masters roared to a lead as big as 37 at 85-48 before eventually handing the Elite a third loss against a lone win. 

Meanwhile, Meralco (2-2) and Columbian Dyip (2-2) try to go above the .500 mark as they take on NLEX (1-3) and Barangay Ginebra (1-2), respectively, in a Petron Blaze Saturday Special also at the Ynares-Antipolo tonight.

The Bolts tangle with the Road Warriors at 4:30 p.m. then the Dyip face the Kings at 7 p.m. with Meralco and Columbian both seeking a third win against two losses.

Rain or Shine added to the growing list of the titleholder’s tormentors as the Elasto Painters upended the San Miguel Beermen, 108-98, later in the night.

“It really feels good to beat a good team,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia after becoming the third team to beat San Miguel this conference after Columbian Dyip and TNT KaTropa.

Rookie Javee Mocon played his best game in the pros, coming through with 18 points and 17 rebounds while James Yap top scored with 21 points as the E-Painters improved to 3-1 while dropping the Beermen to 2-3.

For the first time in the last five years, the Beermen suffered  first back-to-back losses in the all-Filipino elims.

Notes: Phoenix coach Louie Alas said he had a lucky charm in his first grandchild born early yesterday morning. “First baby girl for the family,” said Alas, who has four boys, including NLEX guard Kevin. “From here, balik ospital kami to see the baby,” said Alas after their win against Blackwater.

The scores: 

First Game

Phoenix 114 – Abueva 22, Wright 19, Perkins 15, Chua 12, Mallari 12, Jazul 11, Mendoza 10, Intal 3, Kramer 3, Dennison 3, Revilla 2, Napoles 2, Marcelo 0, Guevarra 0, Gamboa 0.

Blackwater 95 - Tratter 24, Belo 13, Maliksi 12, Desiderio 12, Javier 8, Digregorio 5, Cortez 5, Palma 4, Dario 4, Banal 3, Sumang 2, Eriobu 2, Sena 1, Jose 0, Alolino 0.

 Quarterscores: 37-18, 66-42, 90-62, 114-95

Second Game

Rain or Shine 108 – Yap 21, Mocon 18, Ahanmisi 17, Torres 15, Ponferada 12, Belga 8, Norwood 6, Rosales 6, Almazan 5, Daquioag 0, Nambatac 0.

San Miguel 98 – Lassiter 27, Fajardo 24, Pessumal 12, Romeo 11, Nabong 10, Tubid 2, Ross 0, Zamar 0, Mamaril 0. 

Quarterscores: 23-27, 54-42, 86-80, 108-98