By JAY R. GOTERA
MANILA — Rookie Matthew Wright exploded for 27 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Phoenix Fuel Masters to a rousing 94-91 victory over the debuting Barangay Ginebra Kings in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup road game in Davao City Saturday night.
Wright bounced back from a scoreless outing in Phoenix’s previous game against TNT last week, confounding Ginebra’s defenders with his long-range shooting and slashing moves to the basket. He nailed two clutch three-pointers in the final quarter and then sealed the Fuel Masters’ win with two dagger free throws in the last few seconds of the game.
Import Jameel McKay also played a key role in the Phoenix victory, finishing with 15 points, including four of his team’s last six points. He also dominated the paint, grabbing a whopping 28 boards on top of three steals and two blocks.
It was Phoenix’s second win in four games, snapping a two-game losing streak.
Japeth Aguilar and Joe Devance led Ginebra with 15 points each while comebacking import Justin Brownlee could only come up with 12 points in just under 30 minutes of play. Brownlee suffered leg cramps in the second half, forcing coach Tim Cone to play all-Filipino for almost the entire half. Playmaker Sol Mercado also could not play due to a knee injury he suffered during their last team practice.
Holding a 49-46 lead to start the third quarter, the Fuel Masters opened up with a 9-0 blast. The Kings battled back to grab the lead, 71-70, after a Dave Marcelo putback at the buzzer.
Ginebra took a four-point lead, 78-74, early in the final quarter, but the Fuel Masters made another run to regain the lead, 80-78.
The two teams fought fiercely, exchanging one big shot after another. An Aguilar jumper put the Kings on top, 91-90, with 1:46 remaining.
But McKay scored on a drive to give Phoenix back the lead, 92-91, with 18 seconds remaining.
The Kings committed a turnover in the next play after LA Tenorio failed to catch a Devance pass with 9.4 ticks left.
Ginebra sent Wright to the charity stripe, nailing both free throws.
Phoenix then clamped down on defense for the win.
