Macau Secures First PBA Commissioner’s Cup Win, Ends Seven-Game Losing Streak

Macau: Macau finally scored a win in the PBA Commissioner's Cup after adding some more mid-conference woes to Titan Ultra with a 119-107 beating on Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Jenning Leung had the last laugh against Fran Yu in their career games as the Black Knights finally won a PBA game at the expense of the Giant Risers. Leung was efficient all game long, only needing 15 attempts for his 32 points, going 8-of-11 from long range, to outlast Yu, who exploded for 35 points of his own. According to Philippines News Agency, Yu actually tried to will Titan Ultra back in the game after Macau, banking on a 41-point second quarter, was pummeling them badly. However, huge outside shots midway through the fourth quarter shut the door on the Giant Risers' comeback hopes. Leung also had three rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Damian Chongqui added 23 points, two rebounds, nine assists, and one steal as Macau ended a seven-game losing streak to start the conference despite having only nine pla yers available. Tony Mitchell and Phoenix Shackelford each tallied an 18-point and 14-rebound double-double, with the latter flirting with a triple-double as he too had eight assists. Yu went 9-of-15 from the field, 7-of-10 from the outside, including a perfect 2-for-2 clip on fours, with five rebounds, five assists, and three steals for Titan Ultra, which dropped to 2-6. Jerrick Balanza added 20 points, four rebounds, and two assists off the bench. In the nightcap, Phoenix put an end to Rain Or Shine's franchise-best seven-game winning streak to start the mid-season tournament with an 87-83 win. Held to only 29 points in the first half, the Fuel Masters found their rhythm in the second half, even as the Elasto Painters lost their offensive touch down the stretch. Phoenix more than doubled its first-half output in the third quarter by dropping 32 points to eventually cut ROS's lead, which was as high as 18 points, 51-33, early in the period, down to three, 64-61, entering the fourth. Tyler Tio, who missed three of four free throws to start the final frame, hit back-to-back threes to give the Fuel Masters the lead, 73-70, with 7:57 remaining. The Elasto Painters stayed in the game thanks to back-to-back threes from Adrian Nocum that tied the game at 78-all with 5:20 to go. However, a 9-1 run put Phoenix up for good, 87-79, with 2:56 to play. ROS still had one last fight in them as Gian Mamuyac scored on back-to-back baskets that drew them to within four, 83-87, with 38 seconds to play. The team then forced a stop after James Dickey missed a hook shot that would have iced the game for Phoenix. However, a miscommunication in the last play forced Caelan Tiongson to take a wild four-point attempt that hit the back of the rim as time expired. Jason Perkins led the Fuel Masters, now at 5-3, with 20 points, three rebounds, and one assist, while Dickey added 17 points, 19 rebounds, two assists, and one block. Tio finished with 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting, three rebounds, and five assists off the bench. Nocum finish ed with 20 points, five rebounds, one assist, and three steals for the Elasto Painters in a game where Jaylen Johnson was limited to only 12 points and committed six turnovers. The burly import, though, still had a shot at a triple-double with 19 rebounds and seven assists alongside two steals.