Smith explosion lifts Phoenix past Terrafirma

Donovan Smith took over in Phoenix’s second-quarter uprising on its way to a 122-108 triumph over Terrafirma in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Tuesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Fuel Masters import uncorked 14 of his 37 points in a strong showing in the decisive second canto, setting the tone for his team’s second win in seven outings.

Smith had a 13-of 26 field goal shooting, grabbed seven rebounds dished out three assists and was a menace of the defensive end with five blocks.

“The reason why we won is this guy on my left (Smith),” Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin said of his import that got the squad back in the win column after ending 2024 with a tough loss to Converge.

“Like what we talked about during the break and before the game that we really needed to get it together especially defensively. We were really disappointed in the first quarter and in the third quarter because we gave a lot of points. It’s still a learning process for everybody but a lot of credit goes to (Smith), I’m just so blessed to have him.”

Phoenix created enough breathing room in the first half to cushion a third quarter fightback by the luckless Dyip from a 16-point deficit.

Terrafirma trailed the Fuel Masters, 67-51, with nine minutes left in the third before igniting a rally to close to just four entering the payoff period.

But the Fuel Masters stepped on the gas pedal once again to pull away and send the Dyip to their eighth loss in as many games.

Jason Perkins added 16 points, Ricci Rivero got 14 while Tyler Tio and Kai Ballungay pitched in 10 markers each for Phoenix, which was relentless in the second quarter after going down by seven at the end of the opening canto.

The Fuel Masters used a 15-0 blitz to turn an eight-point deficit early in the second quarter into a 47-40 lead after Smith, who hit 5-of-6 from the field in the period, with 6:31 remaining.

Phoenix extended its lead to 54-42 off a pair of Rivero charities with 2:36 remaining before the break. The Fuel Masters went up by 11 at halftime.

Terrafirma came out hot to start its first game of the year with Brandon Edwards and Brent Paraiso leading the assault. The Dyip connected five triples in the first 12 minutes as they outscored the Fuel Masters, 36-29.

Edwards saw his 25 points and 10 rebounds go for naught for the Dyip. Louie Sangalang had 22 markers, Paraiso got 16 while Mark Nonoy and Kemark Carino finished with 12 and 11, respectively. Mark Escarlote

The scores:

PHOENIX (122) — Smith 37, Perkins 16, Rivero 14, Tio 10, Ballungay 10, Tuffin 8, Muyang 7, Jazul 4, Alejandro 4, Daves 3, Manganti 3, Garcia 2, Salado 2, Verano 2, Ular 0.

TERRAFIRMA (108) — Edwards 25, Sangalang 22, Paraiso 16, Nonoy 12, Carino 11, Hernandez 7, Manuel 6, Melecio 5, Pringle 2, Ramos 2, Catapusan 0.

Quarters: 29-36, 60-49, 88-84, 122-108.