Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters had an incredible performance on Saturday at the PBA Governors’ Cup, winning against Terrafirma, 125-100, despite the ejection of their import Du’Vaughn Maxwell. The game was held at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, where Maxwell scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds before being sent off for a flagrant foul penalty one with a landing spot infraction when he challenged Terrafirma import Jordan Williams’ shot.
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Although Maxwell’s ejection was a setback for the Fuel Masters, it did not deter them from winning the game. The locals stepped up and took charge, led by Jason Perkins, who contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, and comeback player Javee Mocon, who scored 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field. Encho Serrano, RR Garcia, and Sean Manganti also made significant contributions, scoring 12, 11, and 10 points, respectively.
Phoenix took control of the game early on, with Maxwell leading the charge to establish a 23-point lead before being sent off. The locals continued to dominate, and the game was out of Terrafirma’s reach despite a late-game surge from Juami Tiongson, who scored 27 points for the Dyip.
Phoenix’s interim coach Jamike Jarin expressed his disappointment about Maxwell’s ejection but praised the team’s resilience in overcoming the setback. “When we lost him in the third, everybody stepped up. That’s always our mentality – next man up. So everybody contributed, and we got the win after 48 minutes,” he said.
Jarin also commended Maxwell’s performance, saying, “He is a winner, and he really does the dirty job – rebounding, changing shots, blocking shots, the things you don’t see in the stat sheets. So we’re fortunate to have him here.”
Meanwhile, Mocon’s return to the game after undergoing knee surgery to remove bone spurs was a significant development for Phoenix. “That’s a good sign for us. Javee Mocon plays multiple positions, so we’re flexible right now with his return,” Jarin said. “Game shape, he was a little shaky at the start, but come the second half, we see the Javee Mocon we’re used to seeing. And he’s going to get better as he gets his rhythm back.”
Despite the win, Phoenix still has a long way to go to secure a spot in the playoffs, as their current record stands at 2-5. However, the team is optimistic about their chances, with their locals stepping up and their import expected to play much better in the coming games.