REFUSING to give up and rising in the crunch, Phoenix Super LPG squeezed out a 101-98 win over NorthPort Sunday and gained the right to play top seed Magnolia in the PBA Governors' Cup post-elims play.
Du'Vaughn Maxwell was a steady force all throughout coming through with 31 points and 13 rebounds, and RR Garcia and Jason Perkins played clutch basketball to make up for Matthew Wright's 11-point struggle.
There were also the contributions of RJ Jazul and the quality minutes put up by Nick Demusis as the Fuel Masters wiped out a 15-point deficit and beat out the Batang Pier in a battle down the stretch to claim the eighth and last slot in the playoffs.
"That NorthPort team is a real contender and my hats off to coach Pido Jarencio and his team. They gave us a run for their money. But it's really on my players, they just didn't give up," said Phoenix coach Topex Robinson.
The youthful Phoenix bench chieftain said his chargers egged on one another to keep the fight especially when they were on the trail, and made special mention of his reserve guard "who came out and played as Vintage RR."
Sponsored content: Garcia starred in their key run in a crucial stretch bridging the last two quarters, and the Fuel Masters roared on to foil the Batang Pier in their knockout duel.
"The opportunity to rise came up and RR took it," said Robinson of Garcia who sizzled with 19 points including three three-pointers.
"Always ready lang talaga ako. Hindi dapat palaging umasa kay Mat (Wright), tao lang rin siya at kailangan tulungan," said Garcia.
Wright struggled in the face of NorthPort's tough defense but had his big-time help with a crucial three-point play that pushed Phoenix ahead to stay at 100-98.
The 6-3 hotshot finished with 11 markers with seven rebounds and five assists.
Perkins tossed in 18 points plus 11 rebounds while Jazul rifled in 11 markers plus three boards. (SB)
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