By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Phoenix Fuel Masters finally nailed their first win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup as they toppled the erstwhile unbeaten NorthPort Batang Pier, 115-109, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila on Tuesday night, December 17.

Negrense Raul Soyud finished with seven points, including two consecutive baskets in the endgame that prevented the Batang Pier from coming even closer to the Fuel Masters.

For his part, RJ Jazul finished with a season-high of 14 points, including three three-pointers, to go with five assists and one rebound as the Fuel Masters improved to a 1-4 win-loss slate.

“Siguro hindi naman kinailangan ‘yung scoring ko in the past games. ‘Yung leadership and ‘yung composure lang sa loob ng court kasi we are up big. We learned our lesson from our past losses,” Jazul said in a post-game interview.

Donovan Smith tallied a double-double of 32 points and 14 rebounds, Jason Perkins added 24 markers before fouling out, while Kenneth Tuffin contributed 15 markers for Phoenix.

“Just like to commend our players, they deserve this win. We are in a 0-4 hole, and we just have to give credit to the players, especially to the veterans, for keeping it together,” Phoenix head coach Michael Jay Jarin said.

“This win is really big because when you are on a 0-4, you need to climb back. So we will continue to work hard and get those victories,” the former San Beda University Red Lions mentor added.

Kadeem Jack tallied 28 points and 16 rebounds, Arvin Tolentino added 23 markers, while Joshua Munzon, Evan Nelle and Sidney Onwubere had 18, 15 and 11, respectively, as the Batang Pier dropped to a 5-1 mark.

Meanwhile, the Converge FiberXers rode on a dominant inside presence by Cheick Diallo for a 102-91 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors as they got back on the winning track.

The former Phoenix Suns center finished with a double-double of 37 points and 18 rebounds to go with two steals and two blocks as the FiberXers improved to a 3-2 win-loss slate./ASC, WDJ