Kramer scores go-ahead shot as Phoenix stuns TNT on Wright's birthday

Doug Kramer went 2006 mode for Phoenix. PBA Media Bureau

By Ivan Saldajeno

PARANAQUE--It was shades of 2006 all over again for Doug Kramer.

The former Ateneo King Eagle scored a game-winning basket once again, this time for the Phoenix Fuel Masters as they stole the win from the TNT KaTropa, 74-72, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Wednesday night.

Kramer, who became notable for scoring the game-winning layup in Game 1 of the 2006 UAAP Finals for Ateneo, made a teardrop with three seconds to go to put Phoenix up for good as he made sure Matt Wright's eventual game-winning assist to cap a decent game right on his birthday will not be put to waste.

It was actually Wright who sparked the Fuel Masters' endgame showcase as he drained a three-pointer with 44.1 seconds left to tie the game at 72-all.

Kramer then reached out on Jayson Castro's own floater, forcing the latter to have his shot hitting only the back of the rim with Jason Perkins securing the rebound.

Gelo Alolino, in the next play, opted to give the ball to Wright, but he found Kramer underneath for the game-winning floater.

Kelly Williams tried to force overtime, but he missed the floater as time expired.

Wright finished with 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, and three steals, while Perkins came close to a double-double with eight markers and 10 boards with two assists, one block, and one steal for Phoenix, which tied its victim at 4-4, complicating the situation at the middle of the team standings.

Jeff Chan chipped in 11 markers, six caroms, six dimes, and two interceptions.

Anthony Semerad led TNT with 12 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Box Scores:

Phoenix 74-Wright 16, Chan 11, Alolino 10, Perkins 8, Kramer 8, Wilson 8, Jazul 5, Chua 4, Mendoza 4, Dehesa 0, Cortes 0, Eriobu 0, Intal 0, Revilla 0

TNT 72-Semerad 12, Pogoy 10, Castro 9, Tautuaa 9, Williams 8, Tamsi 5, Reyes 5, Carey 4, Rosario 4, Garcia 3, Torres 3

Quarterscores: 20-24, 30-40, 56-61, 74-72

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