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Friday, March 29, 2024

Phoenix rises from ashes

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ONE for the books.

In one of the most epic comebacks in league history, Phoenix Petroleum erased a 26-point, fourth-quarter deficit and rallied to squeak past GlobalPort, 101-99, in jaw-dropping fashion in the 2016-17 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City last night.

In what could be the best game of his career, veteran forward Mark Borboran tipped in the game-winning basket off a Simon Enciso miss with six seconds remaining to give the Fuel Masters the lead, 101-99, as they completed their remarkable comeback from the deep hole they fell into.

Borboran finished with a season-high 23 points and eight rebounds to lead the fight for Phoenix.

Terrence Romeo jacked up a triple to try and salvage the game for GlobalPort but it went astray, allowing Phoenix to complete one of the greatest comebacks the league has ever seen, right in the last playdate of the year.

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Phoenix Fuel Masters vs GlobalPort Batang Pier game December 28, 2016. Photo of Pba Scorebox

The Fuel Masters improved to 4-3 for a fourth-place tie after this second straight victory, while the Batang Pier slipped to 3-3.

The Fuel Masters finished the game on a spectacular 40-12 storm in the game’s last 11 minutes in shocking GlobalPort.

GlobalPort was comfortably ahead by 23 big points, 84-61, entering the fourth period and by 26 points, 87-61, after Nino Canaleta’s triple with 11:49 remaining and it seemed that it was bound for an easy finish and victory was already in its bag.

But in one of the PBA’s most stunning rallies, the Fuel Masters refused to lose and orchestrated that furious rally that allowed them to miraculously claw their way back in the game.

Key players JC Intal and Willie Wilson returned for Phoenix after missing the team’s last game due to minor injuries.

The Batang Pier waxed hot late in the second canto, ending it with a 16-5 barrage following a 37-all standoff to build a double-digit lead, 53-42, at the turn.

Romeo’s game-high 32 points and nine assists went to waste as his team suffered that huge meltdown in the fourth where it got outscored, 40-15, by Phoenix.

Following yesterday’s games, the league will take a weeklong break and action resumes on Jan. 6 with the Batang Pier taking on the Bolts at 4:15 p.m. and the Beermen facing Blackwater at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The scores:

PHOENIX 101—Borboran 23, Wright 19, Enciso 14, Intal 9, Baguio 7, J. Wilson 7, Alolino 6, Torres 5, Lanete 5, Caperal 4, Hayes 2, W. Wilson 0.

GLOBALPORT 99—Romeo 32, Pringle 15, Pennisi 12, Quinahan 10, Pessumal 10, Canaleta 8, Mamaril 4, Maierhofer 4, Cortez 4, Aban 0.

Quarterscores: 20-22, 42-53, 61-84, 101-99

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