The Phoenix Gasoline Masters full a large upset of NorthPort to barge into the successful column and deal the Batang Pier their first loss within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup
MANILA, Philippines – The Phoenix Gasoline Masters hit two birds with one stone within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup as they picked up their first win and handed the NorthPort Batang Pier their first defeat of the convention with a 115-109 upset on the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday, December 17.
Phoenix import Donovan Smith lastly noticed his enormous numbers translate right into a victory as he delivered 32 factors, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and a couple of blocks, together with the 2 essential free throws that iced the win for the Gasoline Masters with 47 seconds left after NorthPort minimize a 10-point deficit into simply 5 within the final two minutes.
Jason Perkins additionally got here up massive for Phoenix with 24 factors on 12-of-18 capturing, whereas Kenneth Tuffin and RJ Jazul added 15 and 14 factors, respectively.
On the opposite aspect, import Kadeem Jack paced the Batang Pier with 28 factors and 16 rebounds, whereas Arvin Tolentino chipped in 23 markers.
With Phoenix having fun with a 112-102 lead with just one:47 remaining, Tolentino and Jack scored 4 fast factors to drag NorthPort inside hanging distance.
NorthPort’s Evan Nelle even had a chance to slice Phoenix’s result in only a single possession with 1:06 left, however the rookie level guard solely transformed on considered one of his two free throws.
Regardless of the loss, NorthPort nonetheless remained on the prime of the standings with a 5-1 slate.
Earlier, the Converge FiberXers scored a fast bounce-back win after a 102-91 rout of the NLEX Street Warriors.
After scoring solely 13 factors of their 108-101 loss to NorthPort of their earlier match, Converge import Cheick Diallo went off for 37 factors and 18 rebounds to guide the FiberXers to their third win in 5 video games.
Alec Stockton backstopped Diallo with 16 factors, Jordan Heading poured in 14 factors and 11 rebounds, whereas prime rookie Justine Baltazar racked up 4 factors, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in his second PBA sport.
NLEX reinforcement Mike Watkins posted one other huge double-double of 36 factors and 23 rebounds, however his efforts went down the drain because the Street Warriors suffered their second straight loss and dropped to an excellent 3-3 card.
Robert Bolick helped Watkins carry NLEX’s scoring load with 26 factors.
The Scores
First Sport
Converge 102 – Diallo 37, Stockton 16, Heading 14, Caralipio 10, Winston 8, Racal 6, Baltazar 4, Arana 4, Santos 3, Delos Santos 0, Cabagnot 0, Nieto 0.
NLEX 91 – Watkins 36, Bolick 26, Semerad 8, Alas 7, Amer 4, Torres 4, Valdez 2, Rodger 2, Herndon 2, Bahio 0, Policarpio 0.
Quarters: 28-18, 52-44, 77-72, 102-91.
Second Sport
Phoenix 115 – Smith 32, Perkins 24, Tuffin 15, Jazul 14, Manganti 9, Soyud 7, Tio 5, Salado 4, Rivero 3, Verano 2, Daves 0, Ular 0, Alejandro 0, Garcia 0.
NorthPort 109 – Jack 28, Tolentino 23, Munzon 18, Nelle 15, Onwubere 11, Bulanadi 7, Navarro 3, Flores 2, Miranda 2, Yu 0, Cuntapay 0.
Quarters: 29-21, 54-45, 84-76, 115-109.
– Rappler.com
