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Ricci Rivero Ignites Phoenix As Beermen Suffer Nightmare 0-2 Start
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The champs are in trouble — and Phoenix just made sure everyone knows it.
The Phoenix Fuel Masters pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the young PBA Season 50, stunning defending champions San Miguel Beer with a 109-103 victory Sunday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
It was another night of surprises for the league, with Terrafirma also shocking NLEX earlier in the day, 97-91 — snapping an 11-game losing streak.
For Phoenix, though, this win hit different. Coming off a stinging loss to TNT just two days ago, the Fuel Masters bounced back with fire, leading almost the entire game and denying the Beermen any chance of a comeback.
Coach Willy Wilson couldn’t have asked for a better first win as a PBA head coach. At one point, Phoenix even led by 16 points, thanks to a clutch three-pointer from James Kwekuteye midway through the fourth.
“Hard work and dedication,” said Ricci Rivero, who sparked the victory after a quiet first half. Rivero erupted for 14 points in the final two quarters, finishing as the top scorer alongside solid performances from Kai Ballungay (14), Tyler Tio (14), and Jason Perkins (13).
Even a monster game from June Mar Fajardo — who posted 19 points and 22 rebounds — wasn’t enough to save the Beermen from falling to a 0-2 start in the All-Filipino Conference.
Down by 13 in the closing minutes, San Miguel made one last push, trimming the lead to four, but Rivero’s calm free throws sealed the deal for Phoenix.
Wilson said the win was a huge morale booster for the team.
“It’s significant even without talking about the losing streak,” he said. “Knowing we can beat a team like San Miguel Beer — that’s big for us.”
Looks like the Fuel Masters just lit a spark — and the rest of the league better take notice.
The Phoenix Fuel Masters pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the young PBA Season 50, stunning defending champions San Miguel Beer with a 109-103 victory Sunday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
It was another night of surprises for the league, with Terrafirma also shocking NLEX earlier in the day, 97-91 — snapping an 11-game losing streak.
For Phoenix, though, this win hit different. Coming off a stinging loss to TNT just two days ago, the Fuel Masters bounced back with fire, leading almost the entire game and denying the Beermen any chance of a comeback.
Coach Willy Wilson couldn’t have asked for a better first win as a PBA head coach. At one point, Phoenix even led by 16 points, thanks to a clutch three-pointer from James Kwekuteye midway through the fourth.
“Hard work and dedication,” said Ricci Rivero, who sparked the victory after a quiet first half. Rivero erupted for 14 points in the final two quarters, finishing as the top scorer alongside solid performances from Kai Ballungay (14), Tyler Tio (14), and Jason Perkins (13).
Even a monster game from June Mar Fajardo — who posted 19 points and 22 rebounds — wasn’t enough to save the Beermen from falling to a 0-2 start in the All-Filipino Conference.
Down by 13 in the closing minutes, San Miguel made one last push, trimming the lead to four, but Rivero’s calm free throws sealed the deal for Phoenix.
Wilson said the win was a huge morale booster for the team.
“It’s significant even without talking about the losing streak,” he said. “Knowing we can beat a team like San Miguel Beer — that’s big for us.”
Looks like the Fuel Masters just lit a spark — and the rest of the league better take notice.
Oct 13, 2025
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