PHOENIX Super LPG rproduced another king-size upset, this time beating Barangay Ginebra, 101-93, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Five players — Jvee Mocon,Tyler Tio, Encho Serrano, import Kaleb Wesson and Sean Anthony — came through with double-digit scores to power the Fuel Masters to their second straight victory after dropping their first three assignments.

Mocon scattered a team-high 20 points on 6-of-15 shooting in less than 35 minutes for Phoenix, which also won over NLEX Road Warriors, 111-97, last Oct. 8.

Tio added 17 points and seven assists, Serrano contributed 16 points, Wesson had a double-double of 15 points and 17 rebounds and Anthony had 14 points, 13 rebounds and five assists for the Fuel Masters of coach Topex Robinson.

Stanley Pringle finished with 25 points, including five triples, for Ginebra, wh8ch lost for the first time since posting back-to- triumphs over Meralco Bolts (99-91) and the Bay Area Dragons (111-93).

Former Best Import awardee Justin Brownlee had 23 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Gin Kings.

“It all boils down to trust. We’re trying to create an environment in our team where mistakes are allowed. It gives them confidence, like Encho Serrano,” said Robinson after Phoenix improved to 2-3.

“They’re playing their hearts out.”

Phoenix will gun for its third straight win against Meralco on Oct. 19 at the Philsports Arena.

Ginebra, on the other hand, hopes to get back on the winning track when it meets frontrunning Magnolia Chicken Timplados on Oct. 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The scores:

Phoenix (101) – Mocon 20, Tio 17, Serrano 16, Wesson 15, Anthony 14, Jazul 7, Manganti 5, Garcia 3, Pascual 2, Lojera 2, Camacho 0, Muyang 0, Lalata 0.
Ginebra (93) – Pringle 25, Brownlee 23, Malonzo 13, Thompson 11, J.Aguilar 7, Tenorio 7, Standhardinger 6, Gray 1, Pessumal 0, Mariano 0.
Quarterscores: 16-23, 45-48, 74-77, 101-93.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya