MANILA, Philippines – Phoenix fueled its drive for a quarterfinal spot in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after dealing hapless Terrafirma a historic beating following a 135-84 rout at the PhilSports Arena on Saturday, November 26.

Kaleb Wesson posted 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks to lead seven players in double-figure scoring as the Fuel Masters cruised to the 51-point romp, which is tied for the sixth-biggest winning margin in PBA history.

Phoenix shared the record with Rain or Shine, which crushed Alaska, 123-72, in June 2014.

RR Garcia powered the Fuel Masters’ bench mob with a team-high 20 points, 8 coming in the decisive second quarter that saw Phoenix open the floodgates to grab a commanding 67-30 halftime lead.

Trailing 13-26, the Dyip got outscored 17-41 in the second frame as the Fuel Masters marked the fifth most-lopsided first half in PBA history with young guns Sean Manganti and Kurt Lojera also scoring 8 points in the period.

Phoenix kept its foot on the gas and even enjoyed a lead as big as 55 points in the fourth quarter, 131-76, to improve to 6-6 for sixth place.

Encho Serrano churned out 17 points and 5 rebounds for the Fuel Masters, Jason Perkins put up 16 points, RJ Jazul fired 14 points, and Lojera and Manganti finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Tyler Tio added 9 points, while Javee Mocon and Larry Muyang chipped in 8 points each and combined for 11 rebounds as Phoenix snapped a three-game skid.

Still missing import Lester Prosper due to health and safety protocols, Terrafirma absorbed its second-worst loss in franchise history and ended the conference with a 1-11 record.

The Dyip have now figured in the two biggest losses in PBA history, with Terrafirma losing by 54 points to guest team Bay Area, 130-76, earlier this conference.

Joshua Munzon paced the Dyip with 12 points, while Eric Camson tallied a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds in another embarrassing defeat for the beleaguered franchise.

The Scores

Phoenix 135 – Garcia 20, Serrano 17, Wesson 17, Perkins 16, Jazul 14, Lojera 11, Manganti 10, Tio 9, Mocon 8, Muyang 8, Anthony 3, Camacho 2, Adamos 0, Rios 0, Pascual 0.

Terrafirma 84 – Munzon 12, Camson 11, Mina 10, Alolino 9, Javelona 9, Gomez de Liano 8, Tiongson 7, Ramos 7, Gabayni 6, Cahilig 5, Grospe 0, Balagasay 0.

Quarters: 26-13, 67-30, 107-61, 135-84.

– Rappler.com