Phoenix Snaps Four-Game Skid with Blowout Win Over Terrafirma, Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive

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by Lou Reyes

Phoenix's Kai Balunggay (1) led the Fuel Masters in their rout of Terrafirma.
Phoenix's Kai Balunggay (1) led the Fuel Masters in their rout of Terrafirma. Photo: PBA Images. 

After weeks of frustration, the Phoenix Fuel Masters finally reignited their fire. And they did it in style. 

Phoenix snapped a four-game slump with a commanding 107-76 rout of the Terrafirma Dyip in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal on Wednesday night.

From the opening tip, the Fuel Masters came out like a team desperate to prove a point. They opened the game with a 10-0 run, buried Terrafirma early with a 37-20 first-quarter blitz, and never looked back. It was the kind of wire-to-wire domination that Coach Willy Wilson has been waiting for from his young, athletic squad.

“We just want to take it one game at a time,” Wilson said postgame. “Of course, the playoffs are the goal, but more than that, we’re focused on growth and improving every single game.”

Phoenix's Ricci Rivero (25) goes up for a layup against Terrafirma.
Phoenix's Ricci Rivero (25) goes up for a layup against Terrafirma. Photo: PBA Images.

Leading the charge was Kai Ballungay, who delivered a complete performance that set the tone for the entire contest. The high-flying forward finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds, posting another efficient double-double. Ballungay was simply unstoppable early on. 12 of his points came in the first quarter, where he went a perfect 6-for-6 from the field to torch the Dyip defense.

Ricci Rivero followed suit with 16 points and six boards, flashing his signature energy and hustle. Jason Perkins quietly anchored the middle with 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Bryan Santos chipped in 12 points on four triples, two of which ignited Phoenix’s early surge.

By the final buzzer, the Fuel Masters had built a 31-point cushion, marking the fourth-largest winning margin in franchise history. The victory improved Phoenix’s record to 2-4, keeping them in the hunt for a playoff berth.

Up next is a big test: a Sunday clash with crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion; the PBA’s return to the venue after two years.

Terrafirma's Prince Rivero (15) grabs the rebound against Phoenix.
Terrafirma's Prince Rivero (15) grabs the rebound against Phoenix. Photo: PBA Images.

As for Terrafirma, it was another rough night. Paolo Hernandez led the Dyip with 14 points, while Louie Sangalang, Aljon Mariano, and Brent Paraiso added 13, 11, and 10, respectively. But the team struggled to find rhythm as Phoenix’s defense locked in on Jerrick Ahanmisi, limiting him to just two points after several explosive outings.

Even with Maverick Ahanmisi making his Dyip debut after injury, Terrafirma (1-6) couldn’t stop the bleeding, now tied for the conference’s longest active losing streak. They’ll try to regroup when they face Titan Ultra this Saturday in Antipolo.

The Scores:

Phoenix 107 - Ballungay 19, Rivero 16, Perkins 12, Santos 12, Tuffin 9, Tio 7, Daves 6, Jazul 6, Escandor 5, Nelle 4, Garcia 4, Kwekuteye 3, Ando 2, Manganti 1, Caperal 1.

Terrafirma 76 - Hernandez 14, Sangalang 13, Mariano 11, Paraiso 10, Hanapi 9, Catapusan 5, M. Ahanmisi 4, Bravo 3, J. Ahanmisi 2, Rivero 2, Garcia 2, Olivario 1, Zaldivar 0.

Quarterscores: 37-20, 58-47, 84-68, 107-76