PHOENIX Super LPG topped a 17-point deficit to outlast Terrafirma, 103-100, on Thursday in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Down 50-67 late in the third quarter, the Fuel Masters went to Matthew Wright who initiated a 23-4 run in the pivotal fourth quarter to bring his team in front, 96-94, under two minutes remaining.
“Coach Topex [Robinson] told us just to keep battling it through,” Wright said. “It’s not just the same Terrafirma before, but we just played defense and stayed positive all the time.”
Wright scored 13 of his 17 points in the payoff frame in addition to 10 assists, six rebounds and two steals.
Import Paul Harris tallied a team-high 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Fuel Masters, who joined Alaska and NLEX in the early lead.
“He [Harris] likes to involve the locals and he’s the perfect import for us,” Wright said.
Jason Perkins added 18 points and eight rebounds while Chris Banchero also had 18 points and six assists also for Phoenix.
“We just kept on playing, we just kept on grinding,” Robinson said. “We just don’t want to give up, take our chances. It went down to our defense and it helped our offense.”
Import Antonio Hester scattered 28 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead the Dyip.
Alex Cabagnot, meanwhile, suffered the same fate as fellow former San Miguel Beerman Arwind Santos.
Now a Dyip, Cabagnot had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. The spitfire point guard was traded to Terrafirma for Simon Enciso.
Juami Tiongson added 20 points also for the Dyip.
Santos debuted for NorthPort on opening day Wednesday and also suffered his first defeat as a Batang Pier despite an all-around effort of 23 points with seven rebounds, three steals and four blocks.
NLEX and Alaska, meanwhile, shoot for their second straight victories at the resumption of games on Friday in the same venue.
NLEX, which beat San Miguel Beer, 114-102 on Wednesday night, takes on NorthPort (0-2) at 3 p.m., while Alaska, 87-85 winner over NorthPort also on opening day, faces San Miguel Beer at 6 p.m.
Fans are still not allowed in the arena although the league hinted at the possibility of allowing the crowd at 50 percent capacity when the games are played at the Mall of Asia Arena.