Phoenix clamped down on defense in the second half and found answers to every comeback attempt by Blackwater on its way to a 102-93 rebound win in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Fuel Masters limited the Bossing to just 19 points in the third quarter and unloaded a huge 11-3 run in the final canto for a double-digit spread, which allowed them to close the first round on a winning note.

Phoenix improved to a 4-1 win-loss record and remained in the solo lead in Group B.

Fuel Masters head coach Charles Tiu was just relieved his wards pulled through amid the tough challenge put up by skidding Blackwater.

“They’re a very different team right now under coach Pat (Aquino). He’s done a really good job. They’re believing in each other, they’re playing hard and they’re playing fast. I think one of our goals was to keep them from running their transition offense and we were able to do that,” said Tiu as Phoenix recovered from a sorry 98-105 loss to Rain or Shine last week.

Phoenix held the Bossing to just 13 fastbreak points while scoring 27 on the open court. The Fuel Masters also forced Blackwater to commit 17 turnovers that they converted to 18 turnover points.

“Credit to the guys. We were able to make some stops. It was tough but we battled. We did not give up. We got enough stops when it mattered and were able to eke out a win,” Tiu added.

Jason Perkins ignited the Fuel Masters’ second half pull away, scoring 12 of his 25 points in the third quarter and grabbed six rebounds.

“We just kept good communication. All of our teammates are staying positive, everybody’s talking to each other,” said Perkins, who went 9-of-14 from the field.

Import Robert Johnson posted 23 points and 12 boards, Gian Mamuyac finished with 18 markers while Ricci Rivero filled the stats sheet with 10 points, eight rebounds and nine assists for Phoenix.

Protecting an 83-80 advantage with more than seven minutes left in the game, the trio of Johnson, Mamuyac and Rivero fueled the Fuel Masters’ run for a 94-83 cushion with 5:13 left.

Phoenix kept Blackwater at bay the rest of the way.

The Bossing slipped to a third straight defeat for a 2-3 card.

Kentrell Barkley submitted monster numbers of 36 points, 25 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block but turned the ball over six times for Blackwater.

RK Ilagan had 20 points and seven rebounds before fouling out late in the game while Sedrick Barefield had a horrible shooting night of 5-of-19 from the field, including a 0-of-7 from the three-point area, for 10 points.