By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters survived a tough stand by import-less Rain or Shine Elasto Painters before pulling off a 114-106 victory in the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

RR Garcia and rookie Encho Serrano showed the way with 17 points each, while Jason Perkins chipped in 16 markers as the Fuel Masters rolled to its third straight victory for a 4-5 win-loss slate.

Import Du’vaughn Maxwell tallied double-double 15 points and 13 rebounds to go with five steals and five blocks, while Tyler Tio contributed 14 markers for the Fuel Masters.

The Painters were ahead early, 9-5, behind the early five points of Negrense James Yap, but the Fuel Masters quickly turned things around behind Perkins and Tio for a 29-14 edge.

Phoenix went on with its run in the second period as the lead reached its largest at 50-27 on a basket by RJ Jazul, but Rain or Shine showed some life in the third as they cut the lead to 106-110.

However, the Fuel Masters were able to keep the Painters at bay as an inside basket by Maxwell with 32 seconds followed by tough defense by Rain or Shine players preserved the win.

Norbert Torres and Leonard Santillan led the way with 14 points each, while Beau Belga, Rey Nambatac and Gian Mamuyac had 13, 11 and 10, respectively, as the Painters dropped to 2-7.

The Painters were forced to play all-Filipino with import Greg Smith II suffering an injury, while replacement import Jordan Tolbert did not make the league’s height limit.

PHOENIX 114 — Garcia 17, Serrano 17, Perkins 16, Maxwell 15, Tio 14, Muyang 8, Mocon 7, Manganti 7, Lalata 6, Lojera 3, Jazul 3, Alejandro 1, Camacho 0, Go 0, Adamos 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 106 — Santillan 14, Torres 14, Belga 13, Nambatac 11, Mamuyac 10, Borboran 8, Ildefonso 7, Nieto 6, Yap 5, Caracut 5, Demusis 5, Asistio 3, Clarito 0, Ponferrada 0.

Quarterscores: 29-14, 67-46, 89-76, 114-106./ASC, WDJ