The second play date of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup featured a rout and a near-epic comeback at the PhilSports Arena. Here is a recap of what went down on Tuesday:
Phoenix Handles Terrafirma Behind Donovan Smith, Jason Perkins
Donovan Smith poured in a game-high 37 points and Jason Perkins made all of his six shots to lead the Phoenix Fuel Masters to a 122-108 victory over the Terrafirma Dyip.
The Fuel Masters roared to a 60-49 lead in the first half with a 28-9 run to end the second quarter behind the exploits of Smith and Perkins. Terrafirma, though, fought back in the third, getting to within 88-84 behind strong play from Brandon Edwards and Louie Sangalang. Phoenix restored order in the fourth, outscoring the Dyip 34-24 to put away its second win in seven games.
Smith added 7 rebounds and 5 blocks, while Perkins finished with 16 points on 6-for-6 shooting from the field. Ricci Rivero and Kai Balunggay chipped in 14 and 10, respectively. Edwards had 25 points and 10 boards for the winless Dyip, even as Sangalang submitted a new career-high of 22.
Up next:
Phoenix vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on January 11 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
Terrafirma vs. Magnolia Hotshots on January 10 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
The Scores:
Phoenix (122) – Smith 37, Perkins 16, Rivero 14, Ballungay 10, Tio 10, Tuffin 8, Muyang 7, Jazul 4, Alejandro 4, Manganti 3, Daves 3, Verano 2, Salado 2, Garcia 2
Terrafirma (108) – Edwards 25, Sangalang 22, Paraiso 16, Nonoy 12, Carino 11, Hernandez 7, Manuel 6, Melecio 5, Pringle 2, Ramos 2
TNT Survives Meralco After Thrilling Endgame
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made the game-winning free throws to help the TNT Tropang Giga edge out the Meralco Bolts, 101-99, and survive a colossal meltdown.
The Tropa looked headed for a rout, dominating the first half and building as much as a 23-point lead, 44-21. But Meralco rallied back after intermission, even taking a 97-94 lead only for Roger Pogoy to tie things up with a triple. Hollis-Jefferson and Chris Banchero then exchanged baskets, setting the stage for the former’s big free throws off a reach-in foul by Bolts’ import Akil Mitchell.
RHJ led the way for TNT with 24 points and 13 boards despite being saddled in foul trouble. Calvin Oftana also finished with 24 on 9-for-15 shooting. Mitchell had 24 points, 18 boards, and 7 assists for the Bolts, while Chris Newsome added 19 markers and 8 dimes.
Up next:
TNT vs. Converge FiberXers on January 11 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
Meralco vs. NLEX Road Warriors on January 10 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
The Scores:
TNT (101) – Hollis-Jefferson 24, Oftana 24, Nambatac 15, Pogoy 12, Castro 7, Erram 6, Aurin 5, Galinato 5, Khobuntin 3
Meralco (99) – Mitchell 24, Newsome 19, Banchero 14, Quinto 12, Black 8, Hodge 6, Rios 5, Almazan 4, Bates 4, Cansino 3
PBA Commissioner’s Cup with Huge Double-Header
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup will have a big double-header later today, with the NorthPort Batang Pier and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel—both at the top half of the standings—battling it out in the main game. Rain or Shine, currently second in the standings, will take on the Blackwater Bossing in the first game.
