Phoenix continues to rise, adds Meralco to list of preseason victims

Raul Soyud played a near perfect game and unraveled his best performance in Phoenix Super LPG uniform as the hardworking big man powered the Fuel Masters to their second straight win following an impressive 100-93 victory over Meralco Sunday night in the Philippine Basketball Association On Tour at the Ynares Arena in Pasig.

Soyud hit 11 of his 12 shots from the field and completed his good showing with a double-double by pulling down 13 rebounds in what was easily his most productive game since returning from a knee injury a few years ago.

It was Soyud's best game in the last two years.

Three years ago, Soyud was a strong candidate for the Most Improved Player award while still playing under Yeng Guiao and the NLEX Road Warriors.

But he was shipped to TNT and was later on traded to Phoenix and it took awhile before he could get himself settled.

In the Fuel Masters' second game of the preseason, Soyud was like a beast underneath as he terrorized his counterparts and towed his squad to the early lead.

Also coming away with a double-double performance was his frontcourt partner, Larry Muyang, who wound up with 13 points and 12 boards.

Veteran guard RR Garcia finished with 15 points, Sean Manganti had 12 markers and Tyler Tio produced 10 for the Fuel Masters.

The Scores:

PHOENIX 100 – Soyud 25, Garcia 15, Muyang 13, Manganti 12, Tio 10, Atienza 9, Alejandro 7, Lalata 6, Jazul 3

MERALCO 93 – Caram 24, Hodge 12, Torres 11, Quinto 10, Jose 9, Pasaol 7, Rios 6, Pascual 4, Almazan 4, Manday 3, Johnson 3

QUARTERS: 21-19, 51-43, 73-72, 100-93