MANILA — Simon Enciso scored 21 points and Phoenix used a crucial run in the third quarter to beat NLEX 102-91 in the PBA Philippine Cup at Cuneta Astrodome on Wednesday.
The win upped Phoenix's record to 5-4 and realistically put the Fuel Masters in play for a best-of-3 quarterfinal series.
But given how tight the standings are, Phoenix could still drop out of the tournament if it doesn't win one of its last two games.
| PBA Philippine Cup standings | ||||
| Team | Won | Lost | Pct | Next game |
| x San Miguel | 8 | 1 | 0.89 | GlobalPort (Jan. 21) |
| Rain Or Shine | 5 | 3 | 0.63 | Meralco (Jan. 20) |
| GlobalPort | 5 | 3 | 0.63 | San Miguel (Jan. 21) |
| Blackwater | 5 | 4 | 0.56 | Ginebra (Jan. 20) |
| TNT | 5 | 4 | 0.56 | GlobalPort (Jan. 25) |
| Phoenix | 5 | 4 | 0.56 | Ginebra (Jan. 22) |
| Alaska | 4 | 4 | 0.50 | Mahindra (Jan. 22) |
| Ginebra | 4 | 4 | 0.50 | Blackwater (Jan. 20) |
| Star | 4 | 4 | 0.50 | Blackwater (Jan. 25) |
| Mahindra | 2 | 6 | 0.25 | Alaska (Jan. 22) |
| Meralco | 2 | 7 | 0.22 | Rain Or Shine (Jan. 20) |
| NLEX | 2 | 7 | 0.22 | Mahindra (Jan. 27) |
| x - Twice to beat | ||||
| ~ Standings updated after January 18 games | ||||
The game was close halfway through the 3rd quarter, until Phoenix uncorked a 14-0 run that broke the game wide open. From 64-60, Phoenix made it 78-60 in a span of 4 1/2 minutes.
NLEX put up a brave fight in the 4th, but the deficit was too large for the Road Warriors to overcome.
JC Intal added 16 points for Phoenix and Matthew Wright flirted with a triple double tallying 12 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists.
Sean Anthony registered 23 points to lead NLEX, which was outrebounded 59-38.
At 2-7 and owing to a poor quotient, NLEX has been all but eliminated from the tournament.
The scores:
PHOENIX 102 — Enciso 21, Intal 16, Baguio 13, W. Wilson 12, Wright 12, Borboran 7, Lanete 7, Miranda 5, Torres 5, J.Wilson 2, Caperal 2.
NLEX 91 — Anthony 23, J. Villanueva 11, Soyud 10, Guinto 9, Alas 8, Rios 6, Lanete 6, Taulava 4, Khobuntin 3, Lastimosa 3, Monfort 3, Camson 2, E. Villanueva 2, Gotladera 1, Baracael 0.
Quarters: 20-22, 53-48, 81-63, 102-91
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