ENCHO Serrano would not let all of Phoenix Super LPG's hard work go to waste.
The rookie showcased that will by lifting the Fuel Masters over favored Converge, 106-103, Sunday to keep their own playoffs hopes alive in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Serrano scattered all of his career-high 28 points in the second half, including the go-ahead basket in the final 18.7 seconds, that pointed Phoenix to its first back-to-back wins in the conference and a 3-5 record and into eighth-running spot.
"Gustong-gusto ko talagang tumulong sa team kaya ginawa ko 'yung best ko," said Serrano, selected 19th overall in the Season 47 draft last May, whose herculean efforts actually started in the third period when he spearheaded the Fuel Masters' fightback from as much as a 12-point deficit.
For Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin, Serrano's performance surely complemented his team's defensive mind-set that resulted in the game having 16 lead changes and 13 deadlocks, the last at 103-all.
Sponsored content: "They (FiberXers) really have a good defensive set. They're very good screeners, so we really wanted to disrupt their flow in offense. We did a great job in the first quarter but eventually in the latter part of the first quarter and early part of the second we struggled a bit," said Jarin.
"Good thing we were able to recover because of this young kid over here," added Jarin while pointing at Serrano.
The man who replaced Topex Robinson also singled out the eight-day rest his team had following a 125-100 victory over Terrafirma as one plus-factor. "We were ready to go up and down for 48 minutes," said Jarin.
The loss, its third in nine games, put a dampener on Converge's bid to land a spot among the top four which would have a twice-to-beat advantage in the eight-team quarterfinals.
Now lodged in a tie for third with idle NLEX, the FiberXers need to win at least one of their two remaining elimination round matches against Meralco on Friday and Barangay Ginebra two days later to at least nab a tie for one of the coveted slots.
Sponsored content: Jamaal Franklin led all scorers with 30 points on top of 12 rebounds and seven assists, but he also had seven turnovers and he missed two contested three-point shots in the dying seconds, including a potential game-tying one that was way off the mark.
Providing chief support for Serrano were Du'vaughn Maxwell, with 19 points, 15 boards and five blocked shots, and Jason Perkins and Tyler Tio, with 16 markers apiece. Tio's charity also pegged what would prove to be the final score in the last 3.5 seconds. (NC)
The Scores:
PHOENIX 106 - Serrano 28, Maxwell 19, Perkins 16, Tio 16, Muyang 8, Mocon 7, Camaco 4, Jazul 3, Manganti 3, Garcia 2, Alejandro 0.
CONVERGE 103 - Franklin 30, Stockton 11, Balanza 11, Racal 11, Teng 11, Ahanmisi 10, Arana 8, Ebona 4, Tratter 4, Browne 0.
QUARTERS: 23-24, 42-49, 66-69, 106-103.
