The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters showed grace under pressure in the final moments and escaped with a 106-102 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Sunday in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
RJ Jazul drilled in 25 points, including a decisive triple in the last 33 seconds that carried the Fuel Masters to a 106-100 lead en route to their second win in four outings, a fitting followup to their 97-74 smothering of Terrafirma Dyip.
Jazul’s trey came as an answer to Rey Nambatac’s three points in the last 49 seconds that allowed the Elasto Painters to threaten at 100-103.
The Fuel Masters’ defense, though, limited ROS to just one more possession and one more attempt off Gabe Norwood in the 30-second mark for the final count.
Coach Topex Robinson said their 98-109 loss to the Meralco Bolts on June 11 proved to be a wake-up to the team.
“We just kept our composure. We know we cannot pull away with the lead. So we focused on making stops,” said Robinson.
Nambatac fired a game-high 27 points for the Elasto Painters, while Beau Belga added 15.
The Elasto Painters slipped behind in the standings with their 1-2 slate.
