Amid reports of a possible sale of its franchise, Phoenix Super LPG played an inspired game and pulled off a decisive 111-97 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup xat the Philsports Arena Saturday.
Rookie guard Tyler Tio kept a hold of his team with timely baskets, lifting the Fuel Masters to their first win in the tournament.
Tio finished with career-high 26 points and seven rebounds in points for the Fuel Masters.
Javee Mocon also came up with a solid game, ending up with 23 points and nine boards to spoil the debut of NLEX coach Frankie Lim.
After winning their first two games under interim coach Adonis Tierra, the Road Warriors lost for the first time this conference.
Reports of Phoenix selling its PBA team surfaced after the Batangas Regional Trial Court served notices of garnishment on 17 banks of team owner Dennis Uy.
But the Fuel Masters were business as usual and played with urgency.
“We know it’s not going to be easy. We’re just professionals and we’re acting like one,” said Phoenix coach Topex Robinson.
“We just focus on the opportunity now and that’s the only thing we can control. We don’t have control of what’s happening around us.”
The Fuel Masters played without premier frontliners Jason Perkins and Sean Anthony.
The scores:
Phoenix (111) — Tio 26, Mocon 23, Wesson 22, Serrano 17, Jazul 17, Pascual 4, Camacho 2, Muyang 0, Lojera 0, Rios 0, Adamos 0.
NLEX (97) — Clark 36, Trollano 18, Alas 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Nieto 11, Chua 2, Celda 2, Miranda 0, Varilla 0.
Quarterscores: 26-30; 53-55; 81-77; 111-97.