Clark Import Earl Clark of NLEX drives against Japeth Aguilar and Stanley Pringle of Barangay Ginebra during their game in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Philsports Arena. The Road Warriors defeated the Kings. Photo by Ernie Sarmiento

Phoenix, San Miguel Beer move up

November 27, 2022 Robert Andaya 389 views

PHOENIX Super LPG cruised to an easy 135-84 victory over the Lester Prosper-less Terrafirma to boost its playoff hopes in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

RR Garcia scattered 20 points, Kaleb Wesson and Encho Serrano added 17 points apiece and Jason Perkins contributed 16 points in the Fuel Masters’ sixth win in 12 matches.

The win also ended Phoenix’s three-game losing skid and put it back in the hunt for a quarterfinal round berth.

So lopsided was the match that a total of 12 players fielded in by coach Topex Robinson scored in Phoenix’s runaway 51-point victory over Terrafirma.

The Fuel Masters’ huge 67-30 lead also turned out to be the fifth all-time most lopsided first half in league history, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon.

Joshua Munzon paced Terrafirma with 12 points, followed by Eric Camson with 11 points and 12 rebounds and Allen Mina with 10.

Prosper did not play for the Dyip due to league’s health and safety protocols.

“We just made sure that we focused on ourselves and not the competition because the moment you disrespect the other team, you are going to fall flat on your back. We made sure that everyone was in a united front because it’s playoff basketball,” said Robinson.

Later, San Miguel Beer slammed the door on TNT with a 119-99 victory.

Devon Scott scored 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Beermen, who moved up to fifth place in a tie with NorthPort at 6-5.

Last Friday, Earl Clark tallied 37 points and 17 rebounds as NLEX pulled the rug from under Barangay Ginebra, 120-117, in overtime to keep its slim hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals alive.

Don Trollano added 26 and Kevin Alas contrib uted 18 points to power NLEX to a 4-7 record in a tie for 10th place with sister team TNT.

Justine Brownlee finished with 39 points for the Gin Kings, who dropped to 7-3 for fourth behind No. 1 assured Bay Area (10-2), Magnolia (8-2) and Converge (8-3).

“I think tonight was extra special for the players because they’re playing a big team and a very strong team like Ginebra,” said NLEX coach Frankie Lim.

“The challenge is always there with Ginebra,” he added.

The scores:

NLEX (120) — Clark 37, Trollano 26, Alas 18, Ganuelas-Rosser 11,Nieto 10, Chua 9, Rosales 8, Varilla 1, Miranda 0.
Ginebra (117) – Brownlee 39, Thompson 17, J.Aguilar 13, Malonzo 12, Gray 11, Pringle 11, Standhardinger 9, Tenorio 5, Mariano 0.
Quarterscores: 25-22, 54-58, 90-83, 113-113, 120-11 (OT).

Phoenix (135) — Garcia 20, Serrano 17, Wesson 17, Perkins 16, Jazul 14, Lojera 11, Manganti 10, Tio 9, Mocon 8, Muyang 8, Anthony 3, Camacho 2, Adamos 0, Rios 0, Pascual 0.
TerraFirma (84) — Munzon 12, Camson 11, Mina 10, Alolino 9, Javelona 9, Gomez de Liano 8, Tiongson 7, Ramos 7, Gabayni 6, Cahilig 5, Grospe 0, Balagasay 0.
Quarterscores: 26-13, 67-30, 107-61, 135-84.

San Miguel (119) – Scott 28, Perez 17, Manuel 16, Enciso 15, Lassiter 12, Fajardo 12, Cruz 11, Brondial 4, Zamar 2, Ross 2, Canete 0, Faundo 0.
TNT (99) – Pogoy 23, K.Williams 18, Mobley 18, Tungcab 12, Soyud 11, Marcelo 6, Cruz 3, M.Williams 2, Oftana 2, Khobuntin 2, Heruela 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
Quarterscores: 28-15, 64-40, 87-65, 119-99.

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