DU'VAUGHNN Maxwell brought more than the energy that was expected of him as he powered Phoenix Super LPG past Alaska 104-99 Thursday right in his very first game in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Fuel Masters' third import for the conference collected 21 points and 21 rebounds, even coming up with the and-one play with 20.5 seconds left that served as the dagger and stopped the Aces right on their tracks.
Maxwell failed to complete the three-point play, but RJ Jazul capped his own heroics with a charity that all but sealed the game as Phoenix snapped out of a three-game funk, improved to an even 5-5 record and fanned its hopes of catching the quarterfinals bus.
"We know how important this game is for us and we also know that Alaska is on a run and we respect that team so much," said Fuel Masters coach Topex Robinson.
Robinson also believes he has finally found the right import in Maxwell after original reinforcement Paul Harris got injured and first replacement Dominique Sutton proved incapable of truly boosting his team.
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"I think what he brought to us was solid defense on the paint," Robinson said of Maxwell. "He's making smart moves down the stretch, he was making his shots. But most importantly. I think, was the energy he brings to the team. Especially on an import(-laden) conference wherein you really have to have somebody who the locals can believe in. And I think Du'vaughn is the right fit for us."
Maxwell got plenty of help as Matthew Wright led all scorers with 26 points and also had a game-high 11 assists, while Jason Perkins shrugged off foul trouble to finish with 22 points. Jazul also had 21 points.
The defeat was a bitter one for Alaska, which dropped to 6-4 and now needing to win over Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok on Sunday to avoid any complication another loss might bring.
The Aces surely tried, razing an 80-92 fourth quarter deficit through a 13-0 to briefly wrest the lead 93-92, still 5:35 left.
There's no denying Phoenix, however, as Perkins boomed in a triple and then followed up Maxwell's basket with his own putback before Jazul banked in a floater to make it a 101-97 count.
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After Yousef Taha brought Alaska within 99-101, Maxwell then converted a layup off a pick-and-roll play with Wright while drawing a foul from Olu Ashaolu.
Ashaolu notched his own double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds on top of six assists. Robert Herndon and Mike Digregorio came off the bench to add 17 and 13 points, respectively, while Jeron Teng, Maverick Ahanmisi and Taha each chipped in at least 10 points. (NC)
The Scores:
Phoenix104 - Wright 26, Perkins 22, Jazul 21, Maxwell 21, Porter 6, Manganti 5, Melecio 3, Rios 0, Robles 0, Demusis 0, Pascual 0, Garcia 0.
Alaska 99 - Ashaolu 24, Herndon 17, DiGregorio 13, Ahanmisi 12, Teng 12, Taha 10, Tratter 7, Racal 2, Bulanadi 2, Faundo 0, Ilagan 0, Stockton 0.
Quarters: 31-20, 48-47, 81-74, 104-99.
