Phoenix finally got the breakthrough it was seeking.
The Fuel Masters had plenty of gas in winning time to take down Blackwater, 97-91, and finish at No. 2, taking the last twice-to-beat incentive in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Calvin Abueva was at his best, dropping a conference-high 25 points with eight rebounds to lead Phoenix, while Matthew Wright was right behind with 23 markers.
Phoenix finished at 8-3, tied with Magnolia and Alaska in the standings.
Due to its superior quotient, the Fuel Masters leap-frogged the Hotshots and the Aces to end up at No. 2.
They will play No. 7 NLEX with a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarters.
For the Elite, it fell to No. 5 and will play No. 4 Alaska with a twice-to-win disadvantage.
With the last spot in the top four at stake, Phoenix came through in the crucial stretches to ensure it is going to the quarterfinals with an advantage.
After overtaking the Elite in the third period, the Fuel Masters hit the necessary baskets in the fourth to stay in the driver’s seat and eventually seal the win.
A dunk by Abueva with 2:24 remaining gave Phoenix a comfortable 93-84 advantage from where it never looked back.
The importance of the game was quite evident as both teams played all out and had a nip-and-tuck affair for most part.
Phoenix only held a 72-69 edge through three quarters.
The Fuel Masters turned the tide in their favor by finishing the third with an 8-0 run to transform a five-point deficit into a three-point lead heading into the payoff quarter.
Mike DiGregorio’s ejection in the second quarter clearly gave Blackwater a disadvantage the rest of the way and it never recovered.
DiGregorio was tossed after he commited a Flagrant Foul 2 after hitting Eugene Phelps with the ball.
The scores:
Phoenix 97 – Abueva 25, Wright 23, Phelps 16, Revilla 11, Perkins 9, Jazul 4, Chua 4, Intal 3, Wilson 1, Alolino 1, Kramer 0.
Blackwater 91 – Walker 21, Pinto 17, Zamar 12, Belo 10, Erram 9, Maliksi 9, Digregorio 7, Al-Hussaini 4, Javier 2, Cortez 0, Sumang 0, Jose 0.
Quarters: 21-18, 44-48, 72-69, 97-91.”‹