Phoenix comes from behind against NorthPort to book QF duel with Magnolia

The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters turned the tables around and completed a come-from-behind win against the NorthPort Batang Pier, 101-98, in the knockout game for the eighth spot in the PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After trailing for the majority of the game, Phoenix notched their first lead early in the fourth period, 80-79, after the Fuel Masters' 4-0 run. The Fuel Masters widened their gap to 85-79 before Jamie Malonzo stopped the run at the 9:05 mark.

It was a see-saw battle until Matthew Wright completed a three-point play and brought Phoenix to 100-98 with 29 seconds left. A split from RR Garcia off a Robert Bolick foul with 19 seconds left sealed the Fuel Masters' quarter finals berth.

Garcia listed 19 points in the Phoenix victory while Jason Perkins registered a double-double with 18 points and 11 assists. Wright made his presence felt in the second half and tallied a total of 11 points on top of seven rebounds and five assists. Phoenix import Du'Vaughn Maxwell registered a statline of 31-15 for the Fuel Masters.

All NorthPort starters scored in double digits, with import Jamel Artis leading the squad with 21 points on top of 12 rebounds. Bolick flirted with a triple double and made 19 points and 9 rebounds, while Jamie Malonzo added 15 points. Roi Sumang and Arwind Santos chipped in 14 points each.

With the win, Phoenix will complete the playoffs picture for the reinforced conference of the league's 46th season. They will face the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok, which has a twice-to-beat bonus, in the quarterfinals which will start on Friday.

In the other brackets, No. 2 NLEX Road Warriors will go against the Alaska Aces which will leave the league at the end of the season. Their series will begin on Wednesday, alongside the series of third seeded TNT Tropang Giga which will face crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra.

No. 4 Meralco Bolts will battle it out with the San Miguel Beermen on Friday also. All the top four teams have twice-to-beat incentives.

The Scores:

PHOENIX 101 – Maxwell 31, Garcia 19, Perkins 18, Jazul 11, Wright 11, Demusis 4, Rios 3, Manganti 2, Melecio 2, Pascual 0, Robles 0.

NORTHPORT 98 – Artis 21, Bolick 19, Malonzo 15, Santos 14, Sumang 14, Ferrer 6, Balanza 4, Rike 3, Taha 2.

Quarter scores: 18-31,  46-55, 76-79, 101-98

—MGP, GMA News