PBA: Phoenix grabs share of lead with win over NorthPort

Phoenix import Jonathan Williams.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Phoenix maintained its status as among the top teams of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after pulling away in the fourth quarter to defeat NorthPort, 113-104, Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Johnathan Williams accounted for almost half of the team scored in the payoff period to propel the Fuel Masters to a sixth straight win, tying a franchise record.

Williams finished with 38 points, 19 rebounds, nine assists, three steals and two blocks for Phoenix, which now has a 7-1 record.

The Fuel Masters as of posting time hold a share of the lead with the Magnolia Hotshots, who in the other game of the twinbill were scheduled to face the Terrafirma Dyip.

Rookie Ken Tuffin scored 15 points while Tyler Tio added 14 for Phoenix in the win that came despite missing Jason Perkins due to flu.

Phoenix rookie Ken Tuffin.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

NorthPort absorbed its second straight defeat and is now out of the top four with a 5-4 record.

Venky Jois, the Batang Pier reinforcement, had 27 points, 15 rebounds and five assists, not enough to end the Fuel Masters’ winning run.

The Batang Pier welcomed new acquisitions Allyn Bulanadi and Kris Rosales, both hardly used after they were part of a three-team trade that sent Robert Bolick to the NLEX Road Warriors and Don Trollano to the San Miguel Beermen.

Both teams were still in a seesaw battle until Williams led Phoenix on a run where it scored nine in a row to turn a 95-all deadlock into a 104-95 lead, six minutes remaining in the contest.

The scores:

PHOENIX 113—Williams 38, Tuffin 15, Tio 14, Muyang 10, Mocon 8, Rivero 8, Alejandro 6, Jazul 6, Garcia 4, Verano 3, Manganti 1, Camacho 0, Lalata 0, Daves 0.

NORTHPORT 104—Jois 27, Tolentino 19, Munzon 13, Flores 12, Calma 11, Zamar 7, Bulanadi 6, Chan 3, Amores 3, Paraiso 2, Caperal 1, Yu 0, Rosales 0, Adamos 0.

Quarters: 26-28, 56-60, 87-89, 113-104.