PHOENIX Petroleum Fuelmasters will live to fight another day.
Playing with desperation to stay alive, the Fuelmasters showed the necessary grit to withstand a last-minute rally and trip GlobalPort, 104-100, in the last play date of the elimination round to keep their hopes of making the quarterfinals of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup alive at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Gunner Matthew Wright exploded for his best outing thus far, scattering a season-high 32 points, including four triples, to lead the Fuel Masters and save them from outright elimination.
As a result, Phoenix stayed alive after finishing its campaign at 5-6, tied for seventh and eighth places with GlobalPort, TNT KaTropa and Blackwater, currently.
The Fuel Masters would still have to wait for the result of the last elimination round game between Barangay Ginebra (5-5) and Rain or Shine (6-4) to know where they’ll eventually land.
The same can be said for the Batang Pier, who could’ve clinched a berth in the quarters had it won.
The Gin Kings need a victory to secure a spot in the top eight, otherwise, a defeat will have them join the mentioned logjam.
As of now, San Miguel Beer, Magnolia, Alaska, NLEX and Rain or Shine are the five teams already through to the next round.
Swinging for the fences, Phoenix orchestrated a blistering start to gain the upper hand right away as it took a 16-point advantage, 32-16, right off the bat at the end of one quarter.
At the half, Phoenix was already holding a huge 28-point cushion, 63-35, after a total domination.
The Fuelmasters pounded the Batang Pier for most of the way before the latter had a last-ditch effort and threatened in the last minute.
Despite trailing big for most part, GlobalPort stubbornly fought its way back and managed to inch within just four, 98-102, with 25 seconds left after a 13-3 run.
However, the Fuelmasters had just enough to hold on in the dying seconds to preserve the win and their campaign.
Phoenix also spoiled the awaited season debut of GlobalPort star guard Terrence Romeo.
After a significant layoff due to a knee injury, Romeo played his first game of the tournament and of the season and managed to score a team-high 20 points for GlobalPort.