Williams fuels Phoenix’s 4th win

By Robert Andaya

Games Friday:
(Philsports Arena)
4 p.m. – NorthPort vs TNT
8 p.m. – NLEX vs. Magnolia

PHOENIX Super LPG is on a roll.

With import Jonatahan Williams leading the way, Phoenix demolished Terrafirma, 103-84 , to extend its winning streak to three straight games in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Williams showcased his scoring prowess by tallying 29 points on 12-of-20 shooting  for Phoenix, which  equaled the franchise’s best five-game start in an import-laden conference.

Williams’ strong performance extended beyond scoring as he also recorded 13 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 37 minutes  for Phoenix.
Overall, the Fuel Masters climbed to solo  second place with a 4-1 win-loss record.

Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin was quick to give credit to Williams.

“We’re just playing really good selfless basketball and one of the reasons is  (pointing to Williams) the guy on my left,” said Jarin in the post-game presser.
“Williams is really playing well. He’s playing very selfless and he’s also leading the team, so a lot of credit has to go to J3 here,” added Jarin.

“And also everybody’s just contributing in their own little way, screening, rebounding, running. Those little stuff you don’t see in the stats. But it’s a collective effort, both offensively and defensively.”

Four other  Phoenix players made significant contributions:
RJ Jazul  finished with 13 points, Jason Perkins  added 11 points and five rebounds, and Ricci Rivero   and Tyler Tio contributed 10 points each.

Their collective effort saw the Fuel Masters dominating the Dyip and   taking a commanding lead of 30 points at 91-61 with 7:36 remaining in the game.

In Terrafirma’s defeat, import Thomas De Thaey emerged as the leading scorer, with  a double-double performance  of  18 points on 8-of-18 shooting and 14 rebounds during his 33 minutes on the court.

Javier Gomez De Liano added 13 points and six rebounds , followed by Ed Daquioag  with 12 and Juami Tiongson with  10 points.

Terrafirma dropped to  2-3 overall.

The scores:
Phoenix (103) — Williams 29, Jazul 13, Perkins 11, Tio 10, Rivero 10, Tuffin 8, Verano 7, Soyud 6, Lalata 4, Camacho 3, Garcia 2, Daves 0, Alejandro 0, Manganti 0
Terrafirma (84)– De Thaey 18, Gomez de Liano 13, Daquioag 12, Tiongson 10, Carino 9, Cahilig 7, Miller 6, Go 3, Holt 2, Ramos 2, Alolino 2, Olivario 0, Calvo 0, Camson 0.
Quarterscores: 23-19, 48-32, 78-55, 103-84