ANTIPOLO, Philippines – Tyler Tio proved clutch as Phoenix took down a TNT side missing star guard Mikey Williams following a gritty 91-88 victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center on Sunday, October 30.

Despite being limited to just 6 points, Tio delivered when it mattered most, knocking down the win-sealing free throws that allowed the Fuel Masters to clinch their fifth straight triumph.

The rookie from Ateneo grabbed the rebound after Roger Pogoy missed the potential go-ahead layup for the Tropang Giga and coolly sank his foul shots with 2.6 ticks left for the final score.

Import Cameron Oliver then missed the potential game-tying three-pointer for TNT as Phoenix preserved the longest active win streak behind key performances from Kaleb Wesson and Encho Serrano.

Wesson finished with 23 points, 17 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocks, while Serrano chalked up 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists off the bench.

The Fuel Masters also got help from Javee Mocon, who netted 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals, and RJ Jazul, who put up 12 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds.

“We know that the only way to beat a strong team like Talk ‘N Text is to outwork them. We are the least talented team on this league so we just have to work together,” said Phoenix head coach Topex Robinson.

The absence of Williams, who got suspended for one week without pay after skipping practice without notice, took its toll on TNT early as it scored a measly 7 points and trailed by 10 in the first half.

But the Tropang Giga later on found their groove after Pogoy, Oliver, and Calvin Oftana all breached the 20-point mark, with TNT even seizing an 88-85 lead with 4:25 minutes remaining.

TNT, however, went scoreless the rest of the way as the Fuel Masters tied the game off a Jazul free throw and a Wesson layup before Tio put the nail in the coffin.

Oftana played his best game in a Tropang Giga uniform since being acquired from NLEX during the break after firing 27 points on a 7-of-12 clip from three-point range, but that went down the drain in their second straight loss.

Pogoy had 22 points and 8 rebounds, while Oliver churned out 20 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks for TNT, which dropped to 3-4.

The Scores

Phoenix 91 – Wesson 23, Serrano 16, Mocon 13, Jazul 12, Lojera 6, Camacho 6, Anthony 6, Tio 6, Pascual 3, Muyang 0, Manganti 0, Rios 0, Garcia 0, Robles 0.

TNT 88 – Oftana 27, Pogoy 22, Oliver 20, Khobuntin 8, Castro 6, Montalbo 3, K. Williams 2, Heruela 0, Alejandro 0, Erram 0, Macelo 0.

Quarters: 17-7, 47-38, 74-71, 91-88.

– Rappler.com