The Macau Black Knights ended their PBA Commissioner’s Cup guest stint with a 105-98 win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. With the victory, Macau finished with a 3-9 record after going 3-2 in their last five outings. The loss dropped Phoenix to 6-5, tying them with the four bottom-four finishers as of this writing. Also holding the same record are the TNT Tropang 5G, San Miguel Beermen, and Magnolia Hotshots.
What Happened?
Macau stormed out of the gates, firing 34 points to Phoenix’s 12 in the opening frame thanks to Jenning Leung’s 14 quick points and Ramon Cao’s 11. Phoenix, however, cut into that 11-point lead by halftime with a 28-21 second quarter powered by eight late points from Ken Tuffin. The Fuel Masters erased Macau’s early double-digit lead in the third, outscoring the Black Knights 24-20 to tie the game entering the final frame.
Phoenix, playing without the injured Ricci Rivero, then retook the lead early in the fourth and looked ready to seize control after pushing ahead 89-83 at the 6:42 mark. But Macau responded with an 18-4 run over the next four minutes, highlighted by four straight triples, to take a 101-93 lead with under three minutes remaining. Empty possessions from Phoenix sealed the deal for Macau.
Who Stood Out?
Leung shone in his final PBA game, tying his league career high with 32 points, spiked by six triples and a 4-pointer. He added 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Ramon Cao continued his surge, contributing 23 points and 6 boards.
Tuffin and Jason Perkins powered Phoenix in Rivero’s absence, as he was sidelined with a deep cut on his shooting hand. Tuffin scored 27 points—just two shy of his career high—spiked with four long balls, along with 8 rebounds. Perkins came off the bench to add 20 points and 10 boards.
3 Keys to the Game
- Strong start, strong finish. Sparked by Leung, Macau got off to a dream start, outscoring Phoenix 34-23 after one. The Black Knights needed every bit of that cushion as Phoenix came charging back in the next two quarters and early in the final frame. Macau then leaned on an even stronger finishing kick to secure the win.
- Three-point shooting. Macau has relied heavily on the long ball this conference, and it fell at the right time against Phoenix. Superb sniping gave them a double-digit lead early, while clutch shooting from distance allowed the Black Knights to finish strong.
- Defense. While not known for their defense, the Black Knights delivered one of their best defensive performances on Wednesday, limiting the normally prolific Fuel Masters to just 98 points on 39.6% shooting. Crucially, Macau’s defense stepped up in the last six minutes, holding Phoenix to only 3 points the rest of the way.
Next Up for the PBA
Friday, May 8, 2026 | Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Meralco Bolts vs. Terrafirma Dyip (5:15 p.m.)
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. Titan Ultra Giant Risers (7:30 p.m.)
