Ken Tuffin saves the day as Phoenix stops Rain or Shine for back-to-back wins

Ken Tuffin nailed the game-winning putback to help Phoenix pull off an upset against the streaking Rain or Shine, 93-91, and boost their playoff chances in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Saturday.

The former FEU standout found himself at the right place and the right time, cleaning up a rejected shot from his teammate Jason Perkins and sinking the follow-up to break a 91-all deadlock with 0.7 seconds left in the clock. 

The Elasto Painters had a slim chance to manufacture a potential dagger, but Deon Thompson's desperate triple attempt didn't even touch the net as the Fuel Masters racked up their first back-to-back wins to improve to 3-5. 

Rain or Shine, meanwhile, saw their five-game winning streak coming to a halt to slip to 5-2. 

"This is a big win. First winning streak for Phoenix this conference so we're just happy and very proud," Phoenix head coach Jamike Jarin said. 

"Ken Tuffin is important, Donovan Smith is important, Tyler Tio is important, all of our players are very important so it's always a collective effort. Hats off to all of them."

Phoenix unleashed a telling fourth quarter with veteran RJ Jazul and Tyler Tio burying a triple each to give the franchise an 85-76 lead halfway through the frame. 

But Rain or Shine, who had a sluggish start before restoring order in the third quarter, banked on Adrian Nocum and Thompson to mount a comeback but it was a Santi Santillan three-pointer that trimmed their deficit to just three, 89-86.

Andrei Caracut knocked down a triple of his own off a Nocum pass to make it a 91-89 affair before the latter denied Perkins just below the rim, allowing Jhonard Clarito to sink a mid-range jumper to tie things up.

Phoenix had another costly turnover, but Rain or Shine failed to capitalize on it as Caracut muffed his last attempt from downtown to make way for the Tuffin clutch basket. 

Smith led the charge with 22 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks while Tio posted 16 markers, three boards, four dimes, and three steals. 

Tuffin, who shot just 3-of-5 from the field, finished with eight points, seven rebounds, and one assist. 

Scores:

Phoenix 93 – Smith 22, Tio 16, Garcia 14, Perkins 12, Jazul 11, Ballungay 8, Tuffin 8, Daves 2, Verano 0, Muyang 0, Alejandro 0, Camacho 0, Ular 0.

Rain or Shine 91 – Thompson 22, Santillan 19, Nocum 16, Clarito 11, Caracut 8, Datu 7, Belga 5, Demusis 3, Malonzo 0, Asistio 0, Ildefonso 0, Norwood 0.

Quarters:  17-18, 50-46, 70-71, 93-91.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News