COACH Jamike Jarin and his Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters sustained their amazing work, pulling the rug from under the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 82-77, before a packed crowd at the FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas Saturday.
Johnathan Williams III was as usual a lethal weapon and rookie Ken Tuffin also came through as a devastating force as the Fuel Masters kept their rampage and solidified their spot at second place in the PBA Commissioner's Cup elims behind the unbeaten league leaders Magnolia Hotshots (6-0).
The Fuel Masters stayed right behind the Gin Kings before unleashing a 24-14 salvo in the payoff period to steal the game, stretch their run to five games and jack up their record to 6-1 while snapping the Kings' three-game streak.
Foiled, coach Tim Cone and his Ginebra troops dropped down from joint third to fifth place at 4-2.
Williams powered his way to 24 points and 23 rebounds and himself led their telling fourth-quarter tear to disappoint the Kings and the predominantly Ginebra crowd that showed up to witness the first-ever PBA tiff in the new playing venue in San Jose, Batangas.
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Tuffin was a big help with 18 points on a 7-of-16 clip going with two rebounds and one assist in 32 minutes of action.
Jarin's charges fought back from an early nine-point deficit and spoiled the homecoming of Batangas' proud son LA Tenorio, who is from Nasugbu.
Phoenix' youthful crew showed great patience and resilience, with Jjay Alejandro, Jason Perkins and Larry Muyang complementing well the numbers of Williams and Tuffin.
With the win in the end, the Fuel Masters stayed right behind the Hotshots and enhanced their bid for a Top 4 finish and its reward of a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
With Tony Bishop and Jamie Malonzo at the forefront of their bid, the Kings enjoyed the lead most of the first half but couldn't finish the job.
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They sat on a 43-36 cushion at the half and were still ahead by five going to the final canto.
But Alejandro, Muyang and Williams gave the Fuel Masters a strong start in the fourth, and Phoenix seized the lead and held on to nail one of their biggest win in the tourney thus far. (SB)
