by Jonas Terrado
Games Tomorrow (Ynares Center, Antipolo City)
4:30 p.m. – NLEX vs Alaska
7 p.m. – TNT KaTropa vs Magnolia
LA Revilla scored seven of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, including a crucial three down the stretch, as Phoenix rallied from 16 down to beat Rain or Shine, 103-97, last night and climb to fourth spot in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Revilla’s corner triple off a Matthew Wright assist with 1:16 remaining gave the Fuel Masters a 98-93 lead, completing a comeback after being down 71-55 in the third to boost their chances of securing a twice-to-beat advantage given to the top four teams after the elimination.
Calvin Abueva and import Eugene Phelps had 18 points each while Wright added 17 as Phoenix improved to 7-3, half-game ahead of Blackwater (6-3) in the race for at least the last quarterfinal bonus.
The two sides will meet on Nov. 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in a game that will likely determine which team gets the chance to have an easy route toward the semifinals.
But coach Louie Alas would like to see Phoenix come out with a different attitude in that match after his team allowed Rain or Shine to erase a 10-point deficit in the second and claim a 55-50 lead at the half.
“It’s like we wanted to win by engaging Rain or Shine in a shootout instead of playing a defensive game. We can’t do that against Blackwater,” said Alas.
Phoenix also moved a half-game behind joint leaders Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Magnolia and Alaska, teams sharing identical 7-2 slates.
Rain or Shine suffered its third straight loss, dropping to 2-7 with just two games remaining in the eliminations.
The loss puts the Elasto Painters in a must-win situation against the San Miguel Beermen on Saturday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna and the NLEX Road Warriors on Nov. 3 at the Big Dome.
First Game
Phoenix 103 – Abueva 18, Phelps 18, Wright 17, Revilla 13, Chua 12, Perkins 10, Jazul 7, Intal 3, Wilson 3, Kramer 2, Alolino 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 97 – Tiu 24, Yap 14, Ponferada 11, Ahanmisi 10, Borboran 9, Nambatac 8, Morwood 7, Washington 6, Watson 4, Daquioag 2, Maiquez 2, Torres 0.
Quarters: 27-21, 50-55, 74-84, 103-97.