SPORTS
Advocates Philippines
Phoenix Stays Perfect, Outlasts Ginebra For 3-0 Start
Photo credit: PBA
Phoenix Super LPG continued its impressive run in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup, holding off Barangay Ginebra, 81-78, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to remain unbeaten through three games.
The victory marked the Fuel Masters' first 3-0 conference start in years, thanks to another standout performance from import Robert Johnson and the steady rise of Ricci Rivero.
Johnson led Phoenix with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Rivero added 16 points and nine boards. Kai Ballungay and Jason Perkins also made key contributions with 12 and 10 points, respectively, as the Fuel Masters followed up earlier wins over Magnolia and Meralco with another statement victory.
Phoenix coach Charles Tiu said the team wanted to take advantage of Ginebra's first game of the conference and its adjustment to a new import.
"We wanted to try to catch them off guard as it’s their first game in the conference and they’re playing with a new import. We tried to step on the gas," Tiu said.
Despite building a commanding 19-point lead, Phoenix had to survive a late Ginebra rally. The game came down to the final possession, but Jonathan Gray's potential game-winning four-point attempt missed at the buzzer, allowing the Fuel Masters to escape with the win.
Tiu admitted his team was fortunate to come away with the victory, noting that Ginebra was missing key stars Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee.
"We’re having a little luck and we don’t want to let it slip away. Ginebra is a different team out there without their MVPs. They don’t have Scottie Thompson and they don’t have Justin Brownlee. We’re close to choking and we’re happy nanalo pa rin kami," he said.
Making his debut for the Kings, import Riley Grigsby turned in a huge performance with a game-high 42 points and 13 rebounds, helping spark Ginebra's comeback in the closing minutes.
However, the Kings struggled to get enough production from their local players. No local scored in double figures, with Jonathan Gray finishing as the top Filipino scorer with just nine points.
The victory marked the Fuel Masters' first 3-0 conference start in years, thanks to another standout performance from import Robert Johnson and the steady rise of Ricci Rivero.
Johnson led Phoenix with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Rivero added 16 points and nine boards. Kai Ballungay and Jason Perkins also made key contributions with 12 and 10 points, respectively, as the Fuel Masters followed up earlier wins over Magnolia and Meralco with another statement victory.
Phoenix coach Charles Tiu said the team wanted to take advantage of Ginebra's first game of the conference and its adjustment to a new import.
"We wanted to try to catch them off guard as it’s their first game in the conference and they’re playing with a new import. We tried to step on the gas," Tiu said.
Despite building a commanding 19-point lead, Phoenix had to survive a late Ginebra rally. The game came down to the final possession, but Jonathan Gray's potential game-winning four-point attempt missed at the buzzer, allowing the Fuel Masters to escape with the win.
Tiu admitted his team was fortunate to come away with the victory, noting that Ginebra was missing key stars Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee.
"We’re having a little luck and we don’t want to let it slip away. Ginebra is a different team out there without their MVPs. They don’t have Scottie Thompson and they don’t have Justin Brownlee. We’re close to choking and we’re happy nanalo pa rin kami," he said.
Making his debut for the Kings, import Riley Grigsby turned in a huge performance with a game-high 42 points and 13 rebounds, helping spark Ginebra's comeback in the closing minutes.
However, the Kings struggled to get enough production from their local players. No local scored in double figures, with Jonathan Gray finishing as the top Filipino scorer with just nine points.
Jul 20, 2026
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