Phoenix rips Titan Ultra to go 2-0 in PBA Comm's Cup

Ricci Rivero stepped up for Phoenix as the team is now 2-0 in the conference. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA––Phoenix preserved an early obliteration of Titan Ultra with an even bigger walloping in the end en route to a 109-76 win in their PBA Commissioner's Cup duel on Sunday night at the Ynares Center 2 in Rodriguez, Rizal.

The Fuel Masters stomped their newfound dominance under new head coach Charles Tiu by racing to a 33-17 lead against the Giant Risers at the end of the first quarter.

Titan Ultra tried to crawl back to the game in the next two periods, but Phoenix closed out the game with a 36-12 fourth quarter to pull away for good.

Ricci Rivero led the Fuel Masters, now 2-0 in the standings, with 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

James Dickey and Ken Tuffin each added 17 points, with Dickey also grabbing 17 rebounds, even as he came too close to a 5x5 with six assists, four blocks, and four steals.

Michael Gilmore carried the fight anew for the Giant Risers, who dropped to 0-2, with 27 points, 20 rebounds, three assists, one block, and four steals.

However, just like their shock loss to the Terrafirma Dyip on Wednesday night, Gilmore struggled to get help from the locals, all the more so that Joshua Munzon, after scoring 32 points last time out, was held to only nine.

Worse, Gilmore, in a bizarre triple-double, committed 10 turnovers.

The Scores:

PHOENIX 109 – Rivero 18, Dickey 17, Tuffin 17, Nelle 14, Santos 13, Ballungay 5, Gozum 4, Escandor 3, Caperal 2, Daves 2, Delos Santos 0, Ando 0

TITAN 76 – Gilmore 27, Munzon 9, Yu 9, Sajonia 8, Flores 6, Dionisio 5, Melecio 2, Balanza 2, Ular 2, Caralipio 2, Ambohot 2, Omega 0, Pessumal 0

QUARTERS: 33-17, 58-45, 73-64, 109-76