This was Phoenix's sole win in the Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament and also marked Willy Wilson’s first victory as head coach of the squad.
All Phoenix needed is a single win to save some face in Davao City.
So the Fuel Masters pushed the tempo early and continued stepping on the gas pedal to carve out a 101-81 win over Converge in the Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament Sunday, Aug. 24.
Winless in the elimination round, the Fuel Masters earned the bronze medal in the four-team tourney at the USEP Gymnasium.
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Eager to bounce back after three straight losses, Phoenix came out of the gates firing and established a 23-12 cushion at the end of the opening period.
The Fuel Masters also pounced on the absence of FiberXers big man Justin Arana and even shifted into higher gear in the second period.
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There, Phoenix put up a comfortable 43-21 lead on Tyler Tio’s leaner off a baseline drive with 4:32 to go in the first half.
The Fuel Masters, who also played without Jason Perkins and Ricci Rivero, just put on a clinic from there and prevented a potential FiberXers uprising.
With under four minutes left to play, the game was already beyond reach, with Sean Manganti’s triple putting Phoenix in front by a mile, 96-71.