PHOENIX Super LPG rode on the hot hands of Jayjay Alejandro and Ricci Rivero in the fourth quarter to roll back NLEX, 113-101, for a winning start in the PB Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With import Jonathan Williams resting on the bench, Alejandro and Rivero took matters into their own hands as they lead a swashbucking fourth-quarter performance by the Fuel Masters enroute to a 12-point victory over the Road Warriors.

Alejandro scored all but three of his 18 points, while Rivero poured eight of his 15 points in the payoff period as the Fuel Masters outscored the Road Warriors, 35-15, to erase an eight-point deficit and completely turn the game around in their favor.

Williams finished with a game-high 26 points despite struggled with only 11-of-21 shooting while committing a team-high eight turnovers.

But Phoenix local players stepped up, helping the team battle back from as much as 16-point deficit against import Thomas Earl Robinson and his NLEX teammates.

Before Alejandro and Rivero took over, Tyler Tio, Ken Tuffin and Javee Mocon combined to led the fight for the Jamike Jarin-mentored Fuel Masters.

Tio came through with 7 points, eight assists and three rebounds, Mocon added 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists while Tuffin contributed 16 points, six rebounds and four assists in a sterling PBA debut.

It was an Alejandro and Rivero show, however, in the fourth quarter.

Trailing 49-60 at the half and 78-86 at the end of the third period, Alejandro and Rivero buckled down to work to lead the Fuel Masters’ come-from-behind victory.

For NLEX, Robinson led the way with 26 points.

Don Trollano added 20 points, PBA Season 47 Samboy Lim Sportsmanship awardee Kevin Alas contributed 18 points, and Sean Anthony had 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Phoenix will take on opening-day winner Magnolia Hotshots at the Ynares Arena in Antipolo on Sunday.

NLEX, on the other hand, plays debuting San Miguel Beer on Wednesday, Nov. 15 also at the Antipolo venue.

Earlier Friday, NorthPort Batang Pier leaned on impot Venky Jois to subdue Terrafirma, 108-103.

Jois, the last import to come in, finished with a tournament-high 43 points and 10 rebounds for the Batang Pier of coach Bonnie Tan.

It was the best scoring debut for an import since Terrafirma’s Jordan Williams poured in three more points in last year’s Governors’ Cup and the 30-year-old Australian got the much-needed support from his local teammates during a decisive homestretch battle.

“I challenged Venky to give us the first win. We want to get this statement win because ang team namin maraming changes sa lineup,”said Tan, who used four of his five new players.

The scores:

Phoenix (113) — Williams 26, Alejandro 18, Tio 17, Tuffin 16, Rivero 15, Mocon 11, Jazul 5, Muyang 3, Daves 2, Soyud 0, Camacho 0, Perkins 0, Verano 0, Manganti 0.
NLEX (101) –Robinson 26, Trollano 20, Alas 18, Anthony 15, Semerad 9, Nieto 6, Marcelo 3, Rodger 2, Miranda 2, Rosales 0, Herndon 0.
Quarterscores: 27-25, 49-60, 78-86, 113-101.