PHOENIX Super LPG weathered a furious second-half storm by San Miguel Beer to complete a 106-101 escape act in the PBA On Tour Wednesday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Tyler Tio hit a clutch trey while Raul Soyud sank a dagger layup in the stretch as the Fuel Masters salvaged the victory after blowing a 26-point lead and facing a three-point deficit going to the last two minutes of the match presented by Arena Plus and sponsored by Bingo Plus.
Simon Camacho led eight Phoenix players in double figures with his 15-point game that went with eight rebounds.
Tio scored 14 while Larry Muyang posted 11 with 12 boards, RR Garcia netted 11, and Sean Manganti, Kurt Lojera and Soyud banged in 10 apiece in a well-balanced attack.
Terrence Romeo caught fire with 27 while Rob Herndon rifled in 21 to pace SMB, which played minus top guns June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter and regular starting guard Simon Enciso.
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The fitter Fuel Masters came out of the opening tip with guns blazing and lots of energy.
RJ Jazul knocked down two early triples to steer the Jamike Jarin-coached side to a roaring 18-2 start.
The Fuel Masters stayed well in control behind the solid plays of Camacho, Tio and Soyud, grabbing a 53-27 tear halfway through the second.
Romeo pumped life into SMB with a 14-point outburst late in the period but Manganti sparked a fiery counter that enabled Phoenix to stay comfortably ahead, 61-44, entering the break.
Herndon waxed hot after restart to help the Beermen get to within manageable levels. From there, the more experienced San Miguel crew worked its way to a 101-98 margin before Tio and Co. wrested control back with an 8-0 windup.
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"After nung last conference, mga two or three weeks lang kaming off then takbo uli, Gusto talaga naming bumawi next season," said Camacho, who was adjudged Best Player of the Game. (OL)
The Scores:
PHOENIX 106 - Camacho 15, Tio 14, Garcia 11, Muyang 11, Manganti 10, Lojera 10, Alejandro 10, Soyud 10, Lalata 7, Jazul 6, Atienza 2.
SAN MIGUEL 101 - Romeo 27, Herndon 21, Tautuaa 16, Brondial 12, Cruz 12, Baclao 6, Bulanadi 4, Lee 3, Saldua 0, Faundo 0.
QUARTERS: 37-17, 61-44, 89-78, 106-101
