Comebacking Garcia puts up career game in Phoenix win over NLEX

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – RR Garcia set a new career-high 33 points in an emphatic comeback from injury as new team Phoenix Fuel Masters downed the NLEX Road Warriors, 118-106, in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, February 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Garcia, who also went 6-of-8 from long range and had 6 assists and 3 steals, played his first game since a shoulder injury that left him sidelined in the Philippine Cup since December.

“We missed RR, we missed the kind of spunk in our team,” head coach Koy Banal said of Garcia, who played over 33 minutes and hit a booming 3-pointer with 2:28 left and stretched the lead to 111-100.

Import Kenny Adeleke finished with 18 points, 20 rebounds and two blocks. He also had 12 boards off the offensive glass.

“He is not really in shape yet,” Banal said of his import, who came from Puerto Rico before the PBA and arrived just on Saturday, February 6. “He’s 80%.”

JC Intal went 4-of-9 from distance for 17 points to go with 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Mac Baracael came off the bench and connected on 3-of-4 triples for his 15 points as the Fuel Masters caught fire and dropped 17 3-pointers on the Road Warriors.

The Fuel Masters saw action for the first time in the PBA and quickly grabbed a first win after the Phoenix oil company purchased the Barako Bull franchise in January. (READ: Phoenix, formerly Barako Bull, thrilled with new PBA beginning)

“The management has assured us that they will go all out 100% support to the team so maybe that’s why the players are so pumped up, so inspired to play today’s ball game,” Banal said.

“We talked about making history of the first-ever game of the Phoenix Fuel Masters and I’m thankful the players gave their all to be able to get this first W.”

“I just saw everybody set aside their personal goal for the good of the team,” Banal added.

Phoenix, though sporting the same players from Barako Bull, certainly looked inspired and refreshed as they thwarted an NLEX rally in the fourth quarter.

“It’s history, no one can take it from us, it’s our first win in our first game,” noted alternate team governor and Phoenix vice president Raymond Zorrilla.

“We have full trust in the team from the coaches down to the utility. It’s really a good first win for all of us.”

Import Al Thornton mellowed down from his previous 50-point output and finished with just 27 points and 7 rebounds. Sean Anthony had 19 markers, 12 boards and 5 assists playing almost 39 minutes.

Asi Taulava posted 18 points and 8 rebounds while Jonas Villanueva had 16 markers as NLEX fell to 1-1.

Scores:

Phoenix (118): Garcia 33, Adeleke 18, Intal 17, Baracael 15, Brondial 8, Pennisi 8, Urbiztondo 6, Wilson 6, Lanete 5, Fortuna 2, Monfort 0.

NLEX (106): Thorton 27, Anthony 19, Taulava 18, J. Villanueva 16, Wilson 7, Borboran 5, Alas 3, Rios 3, Enciso 2, Khobuntin 2, Lanete 2, E. Villanueva 2.

Quarter scores: 21-24; 50-47; 84-76; 118-106.

– Rappler.com