Manuel haunts former team as Phoenix gets first win at Alaska's expense

Third time was finally the charm for Phoenix Super LPG as they get their very first win in the PBA Philippine Cup, but not before surviving a huge scare from a fearless Alaska side when they escape Pasig’s Ynares Sports Arena with a 101-93 scoreline to wrap up the Saturday doubleheaders.

A former Ace himself, coach Topex Robinson’s Fuel Masters will have to thank a trio of Vic Manuel, RJ Jazul and Jake Pascual who also spent their playing careers with the Uytengsu-owned franchise in which they nearly blew a huge lead in the second half but ultimately held their nerve at the final buzzer.

The Muscle Man put up a game-high double-double of 26 points and 12 rebounds for Phoenix, in which they have five of them scoring in double digits.

A relieved Manuel was delighted with the win and credited Robinson with it, as they bounced back from an embarrassing beatdown at the hands of NorthPort last July 21.

For him, it boiled down to his coach’s confidence and belief on his team despite being at the bottom of the pile.

“Laging nireremind sa amin ni coach, enjoy the game,” said the former PSBA Jaguar. “Kasi, yung tiwala niya sa amin andun talaga.”

Jazul added 19 points with all of his made shots came from beyond the arc, with rookie Aljun Melecio and Jason Perkins pitching in 13 and 12 respectively for the Udenna franchise, in which they missed the services of Chris Banchero (calf) and team captain Matthew Wright (ankle) in this contest.

Pascual put up 10 coming off the bench.

That much needed relief was refreshing to Robinson, in which he gave Manuel the license to take over when needed.

“That’s huge,” he said. “Guys stepped up.”

“Nung nawala si Matt [Wright], it really was important to him yung tulong ng iba. That was a total team effort.”

Phoenix let it rain from deep, hitting 45% (15/33) of its three-pointers in contrast to a measly 6/21 (28%) of Alaska. That hot shooting was made possible despite the former were outscored from the paint, where they let the Aces score twelve more points from the shaded lane.

It was not even smooth sailing from the onset, in which the Aces took initiative in the first frame by taking an eight-point lead.

Things went south for Phoenix in the following canto, with big man Larry Muyang having to leave the game near midway point after he got a bloody nose when he collided with former La Salle teammate Abu Tratter head on.

But that did not deter the Fuel Masters as they dominated the middle quarters, leading by as much as 23 before Alaska tried a huge rally in the final frame where they even fired a 10-0 run in a three-minute span.

However, the Aces could not breach the six-point barrier, as Phoenix weathered the storm thanks to Jazul shooting 5/8 from the line in the payoff period, and forced a three-way tie at 1-2 with their victims and NLEX in the process.

The Scores:

PHOENIX SUPER LPG 101 – Manuel 26, Jazul 19, Melecio 13, Perkins 12, Pascual 10, Rios 9, Chua 7, Garcia 5, Demusis 0, Muyang 0, Tamsi 0

ALASKA 93 – Banal 17, Tratter 16, Herndon 13, Taha 9, DiGregorio 8, Teng 8, Adamos 7, Brondial 6, Ahanmisi 5, Casio 2, Stockton 2, Marcelino 0

Quarter scores: 18-26, 53-42, 84-61, 101-93
PHOTOS: PBA