November 13, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Up against an opponent on a similar skid, Phoenix saw its matchup against Terrafirma as its best opportunity to strike and revive its drive to the playoffs.
And so the Fuel Masters stepped on the gas to beat the Dyip for their slide-ending win in the PBA Philippine Cup, 107-76, last night at Ynares Center-Montalban.
Kai Ballungay revved up the Phoenix engine with an early 12-point barrage, sending the squad to a 34-15 start that set the tone for the wire-to-wire conquest that put it back on track after four successive defeats.
Ballungay finished with a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double in leading the Willy Wilson-coached Phoenix to victory, its first since a massive 109-103 takedown of defending champion San Miguel in its Season 50 debut last Oct. 12.
At 2-5 overall, the Fuel Masters climbed up to provisional 10th in the standings, within range of those in the “Magic 8.”
With their fifth straight loss, the Dyip remained stuck in the cellar at 1-6.
“Feels good to get this one but like coach Willy said, our ultimate goal is to make the playoffs and keep stacking wins,” said Ballungay.
Later, sparked by CJ Perez’ 26 and June Mar Fajardo’s first career triple-double (12-12-10), San Miguel clobbered Titan, 158-117, to go five straight and join NLEX and Rain or Shine at No. 2 at 5-2. The Giant Risers fell to 2-5.