PBA: Phoenix stops Rain or Shine’s unbeaten run with epic 18-point comeback

Phoenix erased a huge deficit to stun erstwhile undefeated Rain or Shine, 87-83, in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

The Fuel Masters came back from an 18-point deficit and held the Elasto Painters to their lowest scoring output this conference, handing them their first loss after an impressive 7-0 start.

With the victory, Phoenix picked up its second win in a row to improve to 5-3. 

Phoenix got contributions from nearly every player fielded in the upset win with big man Jason Perkins leading the way with 20 points, three rebounds, and one assist while import James Diickey III posted a double-double of 17 markers and 19 boards. 

Rain or Shine, meanwhile, fell below the 100-point mark for the first time this conference. In its previous seven games, it had scored at least 109 points each time.

"We just challenged the team really at the half. We teased them na parang na-Space Jam kami, biglang hindi kami marunong shumoot. We were 1-for-21 from three," Phoenix’s rookie coach Charles Tiu said.

"But I figured we were bound to hit one so I just told them to keep taking their shots if they're open. I said our defense was okay, it was one of the best defensive games we've had."

Before securing the huge win, Phoenix at one point trailed by 18 points after Jhonard Clarito sank a layup that gave the top-seeded Rain or Shine a 51-33 lead early in the third quarter. 

The Fuel Masters, though, slowly mounted a comeback with Evan Nelle and Ricci Rivero sparking the rally that saw them cut the gap to just three at the end of the third, 64-61. 

Phoenix then caught fire from downtown with Perkins knocking down a three-pointer before Tyler Tio buried back-to-back triples that allowed them to seize a slim 73-70 lead. 

Rivero then drove to the paint before issuing the pass that set up a Dickey dunk with 3:25 left. Rain or Shine tried to flip the switch anew with Gian Mamuyac completing two consecutive baskets, but they couldn't crack the Phoenix defense down the stretch. 

Adrian Nocum was a steady force for Rain or Shine with 20 points while import Jaylen Johnson posted a double-double of 12 markers and 19 rebounds laced with seven assists and two steals.

—JMB, GMA News