KENNETH Tuffin delivered the game-winner — a follow-up shot with seven-tenths of a second left — as the Phoenix Fuel Masters pulled the rug from under Rain or Shine, 93-91, in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.

Tuffin’s heroics came after a miss by Jason Perkins as the Fuel Masters of Jamike Jarin posted their first back-to-back wins of the conference and improved their record to 3-5.

Donovan Smith led a balanced scoring attack by the Fuel Masters, who battled back into playoff contention after winning three of their last four outings.

Smith tallied 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the floor while adding 10 rebounds, three steals and three blocks in 37 minutes of action to help the Fuel Masters snapped the E-Painters five-game winning streak.

Tyler Tio added 16 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals while RR Garcia contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Jason Perkins and RJ Jazul had 12 and 11 points, respectively .

Tuffin and Kai Ballungay and Tuffin chipped in eight points each.

Deon Thompson led the E-Painters of coach Yeng Guiao with 22 points 13 rebounds, six assists and five steals in 38 minutes.

Rain or Shine which dropped to 5-2, also got19 points and five rebounds fromSanti Santillan and 16 points and six rebounds from Adrian Nocum

Jhonard Clarito managed 11 points and four rebounds in a losing effort for the E-Painters..

With 2:24 remaining in the final frame, Phoenix held a five-point lead, 91-86, after a two-point jumper by Smith.

However, Andrei Caracut responded with a corner three-pointer off a Nocum assist, cutting the deficit to two with 1:23 left.

Clarito then tied the game at 91-all with 52 seconds remaining following a turnover by Simon Camacho.

Caracut had an opportunity to give the Elasto Painters the lead but missed a three-point jumper.

Tuffin then scored on a follow-up basket off a missed shot by Perkins.

The Elasto Painters had one last chance to win.

The scores:

Phoenix (93) — Smith 22, Tio 16, Garcia 14, Perkins 12, Jazul 11, Ballungay 8, Tuffin 8, Daves 2, Verano 0, Muyang 0, Alejandro 0, Camacho 0, Ular 0, Salado 0.
Rain or Shine (91) — Thompson 22, Santillan 19, Nocum 16, Clarito 11, Caracut 8, Datu 7, Belga 5, Demusis 3, Malonzo 0, Asistio 0, Ildefonso 0, Norwood 0.
Quarterscores: 17-18, 50-46, 70-71, 93-91.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya