Phoenix’s averts RoS’ upset axe

Games Thursday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:30 p.m. – Terrafirma vs NLEX

6:45 p.m. – NorthPort vs Magnolia

Slowly but surely, Phoenix Super LPG is building a winning run that bolstered its chances in the playoffs of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors' Cup.

The Fuel Masters caught a big break when it clobbered import-less Rain or Shine, 114-106, on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

But winning their third straight game – the longest under coach Jamike Jarin – didn't come easy for the Fuel Masters, who had to repulse the repeated uprising from a game Elasto Painters side.

The Elasto Painters, who trailed by as many as 23 points, came to within four points on a getaway move by Rey Nambatac, 106-110, with still 36.7 seconds left in the game.

But the Fuel Masters responded at the other end with a short stab from import Du'Vaughn Maxwell before the Elasto Painters turned the ball over that practically doomed their chances.

The Fuel Masters improved their win-loss record to 4-5, strengthening their hold of the eighth and final spot in the playoffs.

"It feels good, but we don't look good because we're still not yet in the .500 win-loss mark," said Jarin, who replaced Topex Robinson as head coach prior the start of the season.

"The next game is going to be an important game and our game on Friday is going to be very crucial for us. As soon as we leave the locker room, we're going to prepare hard for that."

Encho Serrano and RR Garcia spearheaded the well-balanced attack while Jason Perkins and Maxwell chipped in significant numbers for the Fuel Masters, who are looking to improve their ranking heading into the playoffs.

Serrano and Garcia fired 17 points apiece while Perkins had 16 points and five rebounds and Maxwell took advantage of the absence of Rain or Shine import Jordan Tolbert as he submitted an impressive all-around game with 15 markers and 13 boards, five steals, five blocks and four assists.

Tolbert, the team's third reinforcement who was tapped to beef up Rain or Shine's desperate bid to make the playoffs, was measured over the 6-foot-6 height limit by the PBA's Commissioner's Office.

Tolbert is fresh from a stint in Taiwan where he played for the Taichung Suns and Taiwan Beer.

He was supposed to take over the spot of the injured Greg Smith, who pulled his hamstring in the team's previous game against NLEX. Before Smith, the Elasto Painters brought in returning reinforcement Michael Qualls, former import of NorthPort, who couldn't provide a victory for his new squad.

Rain or Shine head of basketball operations Caloy Garcia said the team measured Tolbert when he joined the practice on Tuesday and was able to make the height limit.

But he flunked in the league's official measurement as he was officially measured by the PBA at 6-foot-6 and 1/8.

Santi Santillan and Norbert Torres finished with 14 markers apiece while Beau Belga, Nambatac and Gian Mamuyac chipped in 13, 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Elasto Painters.

The Scores:

PHOENIX 114 – Garcia 17, Serrano 17, Perkins 16, Maxwell 15, Tio 14, Muyang 8, Manganti 7, Mocon 7, Lalata 6, Jazul 3, Lojera 3, Alejandro 1, Camacho 0, Adamos 0, Go 0

RAIN OR SHINE 106 – Santillan 14, Torres 14, Belga 13, Nambatac 11, Mamuyac 10, Borboran 8, Ildefonso 7, Nieto 6, Yap 5, Demusis 5, Norwood 5, Caracut 5, Asistio 3, Ponferrada 0, Clarito 0

QUARTERS: 29-14, 67-46, 89-76, 114-106