Encho Serrano drilled in 18 points, including nine points in the last period as the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters weathered the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ final stand and pulled off a 92-83 win in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Serrano’s driving layup and split charity in the remaining 56 seconds found their marks and gave the Fuel Masters an 89-83 cushion en route to the win, their fourth in seven games.
This helped stretch the Fuel Masters’ winning streak to four as they climbed to third place in the team standings.
“Everybody contributed. We worked to handle our situations well. That’s important,” said Fuel Masters’ coach Topex Robinson.
Gian Mamuyac drained a trey and put the Elasto Painters within range, 83-86, before Serrano put the finishing touches to the Phoenix triumph.
Steve Taylor Jr. banged in 16 points for the Elasto Painters, who now have a 3-4 slate with Blackwater Elite.
Kaleb Wesson fired 21 points and hauled 17 rebounds for the Fuel Masters, who will seek to stretch their winning run to five when they meet the TNT Tropang Giga on Sunday.
Wesson eked out seven points in the third period, with his layup in the final 5:44, putting the Fuel Masters ahead 16, 66-50.
