PHOENIX Super LPG ran its final play to perfection and racked up a fourth straight win with a 99-98 squeaker over gritty Converge Sunday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the PhilSports Arena.
Just like what coach Jamike Jarin drew up in a timeout in the last 10 seconds, Jason Perkins received the ball on the left corner and with the FiberXers' defense converging on Fuel Masters import Johnathan Williams, instead found a cutting Ken Tuffin for the layup that proved to be the game-winner.
Phoenix's fifth win in six games and a more solid hold on second-running spot became official when Aljun Melecio's baseline jumper turned out to be a tad wide with Javee Mocon hauling down the defensive rebound to seal it all.
"There were options in that play, but one of the options there was Ken if there was no other one to pass to," related Jarin.
"Good thing Perk (Perkins) saw it, there was some scramble on the back screen for J3 (Williams) and fortunate for us Ken made the basket."
Sponsored content: Jarin added that the adjustments they made after the first half also helped in putting the team on top after the harrowing game that had a total 13 deadlocks and 14 lead changes.
"We only had six assists by halftime, so it means we were playing selfish basketball," noted Jarin. "We regrouped, cleaned it up and we played great defense."
The toll of playing three games in eight days may have also contributed to some of the Fuel Masters playing up to par, according to Jarin. "That's why we expected to be tired, physically and mentally. That was the challenge going into the game," he said.
Williams still did his part, scraping together 27 points, 16 rebounds and six assists that made up for his two missed charities that could have padded Phoenix's 97-93 lead.
Perkins was also a big help with 20 points and seven boards while Ricci Rivero kept up his fine play of late with 12 markers.
Sponsored content: Tom Vodanovich tallied 35 points and nine rebounds but could still not prevent Converge from absorbing a fifth loss in as many games.
The New Zealander sure did give the Fuel Masters some anxious moments when he boomed in a triple following Williams' misses from the stripe and then cleaned up a Melecio miss to give the FiberXers a 98-97 edge, still 10.4 ticks left. (NC)
The Scores:
Phoenix 99 - Williams 27, Perkins 20, Rivero 12, Tio 7, Mocon 9, Tuffin 8, Alejandro 6, Manganti 5, Garcia 3, Jazul 2, Soyud 0, Daves 0, Verano 0, Camacho 0.
Converge 98 - Vodanovich 35, Winston 15, Santos 11, Balanza 10, Arana 10, Racal 9, Ambohot 3, Tallo 3, Caralipio 2, Melecio 0, Fornilos 0, Wong 0.
Quarters: 27-27, 47-48, 70-70, 99-98
