PBA: Phoenix survives late ROS comeback to force 3-way tie for 4th

Johnathan Williams had a sigh of relief in the end after missing two late free throws. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Phoenix escaped from Rain Or Shine's last push to score a 99-98 win in their PBA Commissioner's Cup game on Saturday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Fuel Masters were comfortably ahead, 99-92, with 1:19 remaining until Elasto Painter forwards Jhonard Clarito and Santi Santillan hit triples to cut the lead down to one with 33 seconds left.

Jason Perkins tried to ice the game with a triple only to no avail, but he grabbed his own offensive rebound and found Johnathan Williams, who was fouled by Rey Nambatac.

Williams still could not give Phoenix a more comfortable margin after missing both his free throws, but since ROS could not call a player timeout anymore due to the new rule, Dajuan Summers had to throw up a prayer that did not hit the target as time expired.

Williams, despite going 9-for-22 from the free-throw line, top-scored for the Fuel Masters, who tied the NorthPort Batang Pier and Terrafirma Dyip in fourth place at 2-1, with 29 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks, while Perkins added 14 points and seven rebounds.

Santillan finished with 17 markers and five boards for the Elasto Painters, who joined the Converge FiberXers at the bottom at 0-3.

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