MANILA, Philippines – Guest team Bay Area stretched its red-hot start in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a come-from-behind 101-91 win over Phoenix at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, October 1.

Bucking a lethargic start, the Dragons erased a 16-point deficit in the first half and pummeled the struggling Fuel Masters in the last two quarters to seize the solo top spot in the standings with a perfect 3-0 record.

Myles Powell delivered anew with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals as he connived with Glen Yang and Hayden Blankley for a blistering run to end the first half that turned the tide for Bay Area.

Phoenix grabbed a 41-25 advantage off a Kaleb Wesson triple before Powell, Yang, and Blankley conspired for a 17-0 blast that gave their side a 42-41 edge at halftime.

Yang sparked the run with a triple, Powell scattered 5 points, and Blankley capped it with another three-pointer for the lead.

Powell then dropped 22 points in the second half alone as the Dragons enjoyed a lead as big as 19 points before they fended off a late comeback surge from the Fuel Masters.

Blankley finished with 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals, while Yang chimed in 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Duncan Reid made his presence felt in the win with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists.

The game looked beyond reach when Bay Area took an 89-70 lead early in the fourth quarter before Phoenix threatened a comeback just moments after coach Topex Robinson figured in a heated exchange with Powell.

Robinson needed to be held back by officials and team staff late in the third period following what appeared to be taunting from Powell.

Both Robinson and Powell were slapped with technical fouls.

The Fuel Masters got within 8 points with two minutes left after a Tyler Tio trey, 86-94, but ran out of time as buckets from Reid and Powell preserved the win for the Dragons.

Wesson posted 17 points, 18 rebounds, and 3 blocks for Phoenix, which remained at the bottom with a 0-3 card.

Javee Mocon led the way in the loss with 22 points and 2 steals, while Tio fired 21 points on a 5-of-7 clip from long distance.

The Scores

Bay Area 101 – Powell 32, Blankley 15, Yang 14, Reid 14, Zhu 8, Liu 8, Lam 6, Liang 4, Ju 0, Zheng 0.

Phoenix 91 – Mocon 22, Tio 21, Wesson 17, Jazul 10, Anthony 8, Lojera 6, Robles 4, Serrano 3, Adamos 0, Pascual 0, Garcia 0, Muyang 0, Rios 0, Lalalta 0, Camacho 0.

Quarters: 16-29, 42-41, 74-61, 101-91.

– Rappler.com