The Phoenix Fuel Masters logged the second upset of the day after shocking reigning titleholder San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
The Phoenix Fuel Masters gifted rookie head coach Willy Wilson his first win, and along with it came the belief that they could beat a champion team.
The Fuel Masters shocked reigning titleholder San Miguel, 109-103, to rebound in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo Sunday, Oct. 12.
Phoenix started strong, racing to a 54-40 lead in the second quarter, then did just enough in the final half to prevent a Beermen comeback.
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"It's just knowing that we have the ability to beat a champion team like SMB. You kind of get into that rut about what's the bad thing that's going to happen next. So, really, for the players to actually know that this team is capable, that's big," said Wilson, who replaced Jamike Jarin at the helm.
The Fuel Masters thus checked a ten-game losing streak to San Miguel as they improved their record to 1-1.
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Taming 'The Kraken'
SMB superstar June Mar Fajardo was relatively quiet in the first half, coughing up just five points alongside eight rebounds.
But he found his groove after the break, pouring 14 points in the last 24 minutes of play as the Beermen threatened to steal the match.
Don Trollano also did his part, scattering 10 points in the final half, including the layup on a Fajardo assist that gave their squad the upperhand, 73-74, at the 3:42 mark of the third.
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Evan Nelle orchestrates Phoenix's offense with his 10 assists. | Photo: PBA
But Ricci Rivero, who also struggled with just four points in the opening quarter, unloaded 12 in the last two, capped by eight in the fourth, to hand Phoenix and its coach, Wilson, their first win.
"The sense of urgency coming out in the second half... it was them: their will to win and the camaraderie they have as a team," said Wilson.
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Rivero topscored with 16 he complemented with seven rebounds and three assists to gain the Player of the Game nod.
Tyler Tio came up with 14 markers, while Kai Ballungay, a near double-double of 14 points and eight boards.
Jason Perkins added 13 markers while Evan Nelle punched in nine points and 10 assists.
Meanwhile, Fajardo eventually logged a game-high 19 points on top of 22 rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block.
Trollano (18), Cjay Perez (17) and Jericho Cruz (15-7) also scored in double figures.
San Miguel vs. Phoenix Scores:
PHOENIX 109 – Rivero 16, Tio 14, Ballungay 14, Perkins 13, Nelle 9, Caperal 9, Daves 7, Kwekuteye 6, Taha 6, Santos 5, Escandor 3, Jazl 2, Ando 0
SAN MIGUEL 103 – Fajardo 19, Cruz 15, Perez 17, Trollano 16, Lassiter 9, Rosales 9, Brondial 6, Tautuaa 5, Tiongson 5, Miller 0, Cahilig 0
Quarterscores: 27-23, 61-51, 82-74, 109-103
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Kristina Villanueva is a sports journalist who is passionate about telling the stories of athletes on and off the court.
She believes that the greatness of these sportsmen begins not in the presence of loud cheers of spectators nor under the bright lights of the grandest stage, but in the quietness of their hard work behind the scenes and their dedication to get better in the pursuit of their dreams.
Kristina previously wrote for Sports Digest, Manila Bulletin's monthly sports magazine, The Philippine Star and Sportskeeda. She graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Santo Tomas.