PHOENIX Super LPG welcomed new import Du’Vaughn Maxwell with a morale-boosting 104-99 win over Alaska Milk in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Maxwell, who took the place of Dominique Sutton, finished with a double-double of 21 points and 21 rebounds as the Fuel Masters snapped a three-game losing skid and stayed in the hunt for a quarterfinals berth.

Maxwell’s heroics included a pressure- packed lay-up with 20.5 seconds left that put the Fuel Masters ahead by four points, 103-99.

The win — the fifth in 10 matches — enabled Phoenix to keep its hopes alive.

Matthew Wright led the way for Phoenix with a game-high 26 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds, followed by Jason Perkins with 22 points and RJ Jazul with 20.

“We know how important this game is for us. We know that Alaska is on a run. We respect the team so much. We want to make sure that we play it all out and making sure that we are focusing on what we prepared for,” said Phoenix coach Topex Robinson in an interview with PBA website.

Robinson had good words for his new import.

“I think what he brought to us was solid defense on the paint,” Robinson said of Maxwell.

“He’s making smart moves down the stretch, he was making his shots. But most importantly. I think, was the energy he brings to the team. Especially on an import(-laden) conference wherein you really have to have somebody who the locals can believe in. And I think Du’vaughn is the right fit for us.”

Import Olu Ashaolu finished 24 points and 10 rebounds and Robbie Herndon added 17 points for Alaska, which dropped to 6-4.

The scores:

Phoenix (104) — Wright 26, Perkins 22, Jazul 21, Maxwell 21, Porter 6, Manganti 5, Melecio 3, Garcia 0, Pascual 0, Demusis 0, Rios 0, Robles 0.
Alaska (99) –Ashaolu 24, Herndon 17, DiGregorio 13, Ahanmisi 12, Teng 12, Tratter 7, Bulanadi 2, Racal 2, Ilagan 0, Stockton 0, Faundo 0.
Quarterscores: 31-20; 48-47; 81-74; 104-99.

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Robert Andaya