Fuel Masters Torch Beermen, Hand Champs a Stunning 0-2 Philippine Cup Start

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by Cristian Andal

Phoenix shooting guard Ricci Rivero (25) lays up for a basket.
Phoenix shooting guard Ricci Rivero (25) lays up for a basket. Photo: PBA Images.

PBA fans were treated to another night of pure chaos and drama, as the Phoenix Fuel Masters shocked the defending PBA Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beermen, 109-103, Sunday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

Just days after a rough beating from TNT, Phoenix bounced back with fire and focus, refusing to be intimidated by the star-studded Beermen lineup.

Under rookie head coach Willy Wilson, the Fuel Masters showed grit, discipline, and hunger, leading almost the entire way to secure Wilson’s first-ever win as a PBA bench tactician.

The game turned into a showcase of youthful energy and fearless basketball. Ricci Rivero, who struggled early, turned on the jets in the second half to finish with 14 points — all scored when it mattered most. He teamed up with Kai Ballungay and Tyler Tio, who also dropped 14 each, while veteran Jason Perkins added 13 steady points to anchor the squad’s balanced attack.

Phoenix looked poised for an easy finish after James Kwekuteye buried a triple that pushed their lead to 16, 93-77, midway through the fourth. But San Miguel, as expected, refused to fold. The Beermen rallied behind June Mar Fajardo, who powered his way to a monstrous 19-point, 22-rebound double-double, alongside the efforts of Don Trollano (18), CJ Perez (17), and Jericho Cruz (15).

League MVP June Mar Fajardo scored 19 points during the game.
League MVP June Mar Fajardo scored 19 points during the game. Photo: PBA Images.

The champs closed the gap to just four in the final minute, but Rivero’s calmness at the stripe sealed the deal for Phoenix, icing the win and sending San Miguel to a shocking 0-2 start in their Philippine Cup title defense.

After the game, Coach Wilson credited his players’ resilience and focus for breaking the slump — and for proving they could go toe-to-toe with the league’s best.

“This is big for us. Not just because we ended the streak, but because we showed we can beat a powerhouse like San Miguel. That builds belief,” Wilson said.

Phoenix fans erupted online after the win, celebrating what could be the team’s new era of confidence and cohesion. With Rivero’s swagger, Ballungay’s versatility, and Wilson’s no-nonsense leadership, the Fuel Masters are quickly turning heads — and maybe, just maybe, lighting the spark for a fiery season ahead.

The Scores:

Phoenix 109 - Rivero 16, Tio 14, Ballungay 14, Perkins 13, Nelle 10, Caperal 9, Daves 7, Kwekuteye 6, Taha 6, Santos 5, Escandor 3, Jazl 2, Ando 0.

San Miguel 103 - Fajardo 19, Trollano 18, Perez 17, Cruz 15, Lassiter 9, Rosales 9, Brondial 6, Tiongson 5, Tautuaa 5, Miller 0, Cahilig 0.

Quarterscores: 27-23, 61-51, 82-74, 109-103