PBA

RJ Jazul stands out as Phoenix escapes Rain or Shine

RJ Jazul stood out in the Phoenix Super LPG Fuelmasters' 106-102 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Sunday in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jazul waxed hot from beyond the arc, connecting on six of his eight three-point attempts to finish with 25 points. Matthew Wright proved to be steady for Phoenix as he listed 20 points, six assists, and six rebounds.

The E-painters came as close as a single point, 87-86, in the early part of the fourth quarter, but a personal 6-0 run from Jazul pushed Phoenix's lead again to seven.

With less than a minute left in the game, Rain or Shine cut its deficit to three, 103-100, with a Rey Nambatac triple. However, Jazul answered with his own trey right after to give them enough breathing space, despite Gabe Norwood's attempt for a late run.

Aside from Jazul and Wright's 20-plus points each, Jason Perkins added 17 while Sean Anthonly tallied 14 markers. Javee Mocon, in his first meet up against his former team, was limited to two points but had nine rebounds.

Rey Nambatac also fired five triples to lead Rain or Shine with 27 points.

Rain or Shine (1-3) will try to bounce back on Thursday when they play the TNT Tropang Giga while Phoenix (2-2) will face the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots on Friday.

The scores:

Phoenix 106 – Jazul 25, Wright 20, Perkins 17, Anthony 14, Muyang 11, Tio 7, Porter 4, Serrano 4, Mocon 2, Pascual 2, Garcia 0, Lalata 0, Rios 0, Melecio 0

Rain or Shine 102 – Nambatac 27, Belga 15, Nieto 12, Caracut 12, Ponferrada 10, Santillan 9, Demusis 9, Asistio 3, Norwood 3, Torres 2, Mamuyac 0

Quarters: 33-25, 54-45, 85-81, 106-100

—JMB, GMA News