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DuVaughn Maxwell (right) lands a short jab against Kevin Ebona. — AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Phoenix caught the big fish when it needed to on Sunday and moved one step ahead of a team also chasing a spot in the lower tier of the PBA Governors Cup playoffs.
Getting a big game from rookie Encho Serrano, the Fuel Masters rallied and stunned the Converge FiberXers, 106-103, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for a 3-5 record in the conference last season.
“We got more good to come to the game today so we were ready to open and up and down for 48 minutes,” said Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin, whose FiberXers have had a break since the 25-point romp Terrafirma eight days ago.
Serrano 28 points high-season wheel Phoenix came back from a double-digit deficit to rise to eighth place, ahead of three teams-Terrafirma, NorthPort and Rain or Shine-with the same 2-6 record.
Rain or Shine is on deck, and another win could be the cushion Phoenix needs to make the playoffs.
Jarin and Phoenix will be challenged by a Rain or Shine team looking to win and possibly a new import to the field after Greg Smith II was injured in last night’s loss to NLEX.
Defeats for the Elasto Painters and Phoenix will have to do it the hard way against Meralco on Friday at the Big Dome and Barangay Ginebra on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
“If they (Rain or Shine) will play with new imports, we will be blind, unless they bring someone who has played in the PBA,” Jarin said.
It is the biggest win in the young history of Jarin PBA, coming at the expense of former rival College Aldin Ayo.
Ayo produced his dream NCAA title for Letran through Jarin and San Beda in 2015 before the two met several times as coaches in the UAAP.
“It was a good chess match,” the Phoenix coach said of the tactical battle with his old foe.
Converge lost for the third time in 10 games, failing to maximize their chances of earning one of four second-place incentives to beat them in the quarterfinals.
The FiberXers suffered from losing the lead as they struggled to stop Serrano, who has played at an inconsistent time this conference. INQ
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