Tyler Tio of Phoenix Super LPG looks to make a play, while two Meralco players defend in this bit of action in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Philsports Arens in Pasig. Photo by Ernie Sarmiento
Phoenix rises
PHOENIX Super LPG is on a roll.
The Fuel Masters continued their rise when they outsteadied Meralco Bolts, 89-82, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Import Kaleb Wesson led a balanced scoring attack by the Fuel Masters with 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting in 46 minutes of action.
He also had 13 rebounds.
Tyler Tio added 14 points, including 4-of-6 from the three-point territory, to help Phoenix improve to an even 3-3 win-loss record.
Encho Serrano had 14 points, RJ Jazul added 12 points and Javee Mocon contrbiuted 10 points, six rebounds and four assists for Phoenix of coach Topex Robinsons.
After dropping their first three outings, the Fuel Masters have now won three straight games.
They won over NLEX, 111-97, last Oct 8 and Ginebra, 101-93, last Oct 14.
Bong Quinto topscored with 22 points and Aaron Black contributed 14 points for the Norman Black-mentored Bolts, who dropped to 1-4.
Allein Maliksi added 12 markers.
A big disappointment for Meralco was import Johnny O’Bryant, who was held to only seven points on 2-of-17 shooting in 46 minutes.
O’Bryant tried to make up for his woeful shooting night with 16 rebounds and nine assists.
Actually, Quinto and Cliff Hodge combined in a 14-2 run to cut a 19-point deficit in the fourth quarter to only seven points.
A basket by Wesson, however, kept Phoenix safely ahead with less than two minutes left.
Meanwhile, Jio Jalalon of Magnolia was named as the the Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period Oct. 12-16.
A two-time All-Defensive Team member, Jalalon beat out Maverick Ahanmisi of Converge and Tyler Tio of Phoenix.
Jalalon had 18 points, five rebounds, eight assists and six steals in Magnolia’s easy 111-97 win over NLEX. He added 10 points, two rebounds, seven assists, and four steals aganst NorthPort.
The scores:
Phoenix (89) — Wesson 23, Tio 14, Serrano 14, Jazul 12, Mocon 10, Anthony 6, Robles 2, Lojera 2, Lalata 2, Garcia 2, Adamos 2, Camacho 0, Muyang 0, Rios 0, Pascual 0.
Meralco (82) — Quinto 22, Black 14, Maliksi 13, Hodge 7, O’Bryant 7, Almazan 6, Caram 6, Pasaol 5, Jose 2, Pascual 0, Hugnatan 0.
Quarterscores: 24-22, 47-38, 76-63, 89-82.
Games Friday:
(Philsports Arena)
3 p.m. — Terrafirma vs.Bay Area
5: 45 p.m.– San Miguel vs.Converge
