By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Phoenix Fuel Masters clinched their second overall win in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup following a wire-to-wire victory over the struggling Terrafirma Dyip, 122-108, on January 7, 2024, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
After a disappointing loss against the Converge FiberXers in their last outing of 2024, the Fuel Masters opened their new year with a different level of focus after withstanding Terrafirma’s offensive runs in the game.
Despite Phoenix holding on to their lead most of the game, Terrafirma threatened to pull off the miracle comeback several times when they trimmed their deficit to just a single-digit thrice in the fourth quarter.
However, Phoenix showed poise under pressure and countered back with a crucial 10-2 run midway through the period that proved to be the momentum-shifting dagger for the Fuel Masters.
Phoenix banked on their import, Donovan Smith, who manhandled Terrafirma with a game-high 37-point production.
Smith fired 23 of his total markers in the first half, the main reason why the Fuel Masters grabbed an 11-point advantage heading into the final two quarters.
Aside from his dominant scoring clinic, the imposing import also stuffed the stat sheets and put up seven rebounds, three assists, and five blocks.
Jason Perkins also stepped up when the Fuel Masters needed his leadership as the veteran power forward delivered 16 markers in the crucial win.
The hefty leftie was still silent after the first 12 minutes of action but began doing his damage in the shaded lane in the second frame when Smith sat out for a breather.
Perkins was schooling Terrafirma’s front-court rotation and spearheaded Phoenix’s pivotal 31-13 second-quarter scoring show.
Also efficient in the win was flamboyant guard Ricci Rivero, who chipped in 14 points built from a pair of three-pointers and a series of acrobatic layups.
On the other hand, former Hua Siong College of Iloilo superstar Mark Nonoy reached double figures in scoring for Terrafirma as he tallied 12 points, but his spitfire offensive showing was still not enough for the franchise to get their first-ever win of the import-laced conference.
