Garcia, Phoenix shoot past NLEX

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RR GARCIA is back and brought him the spirit his team sorely missed.

Garcia showed no ill effects from the shoulder injury that sidelined him late in the last conference, scattering a career-high 33 points in powering Phoenix to a rousing 118-106 debut win against NLEX Wednesday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The former Far Eastern U star was at his hottest during the third quarter, where he poured in 19 of his points and helped the team formerly known as Barako Bull to remain comfortably ahead of the Road Warriors.

And when NLEX fought its way back from 11 points down to within 100-104, Garcia pointed the way home while taking the wind out of the Road Warriors’ sails with the last six of his points and the final two of his six assists.

“We missed RR, we missed that kind of spunk, down the stretch last conference,” said Phoenix coach Koy Banal of Garcia, who sat out the last four games and was helpless in lifting Barako to a higher finish than eighth in the Philippine Cup.

“We lost RR, we missed him and he missed playing also.”

Garcia was not alone in helping realize the now Dennis Uy-owned franchise’s first win as Andrew Adeleke, despite an atrocious 2-for-10 free throw shooting, still finished with 18 points and 20 rebounds while JC Intal added 17 points and Mac Baracael came off the bench for 15 markers.

Even the likes of Rodney Brondial, Mick Pennisi and Emman Monfort did their share, an overall performance Banal attributed to management’s pledge of full support.

“Because of what the management assured us, that they will give 100 percent support to the team, I think that’s why the players are all pumped up, so inspired to play,” said Banal.

“I am thankful, grateful to the players that they gave their all to be able to get the W. I saw everybody set aside their personal goal for the good of the team.”

Al Thornton failed to follow up his 50-point game in a 114-112 overtime win against Ginebra last Friday but still finished with 27 points to pace NLEX. Workhorse Sean Anthony had his own double-double of 19 points and 12 boards, Asi Taulava shook off an early sprain to score 18 points and Jonas Villanueva added 16 points.

The Road Warriors were reduced to chasers for majority of the game, however, after getting badly beaten off the boards (58-42) and making only 39 of 83 field goal tries against the Fuelmasters’ 47-for-97 clip that included a fiery 17-for-35 three-point shooting.

Garcia led the way after going 13-of-19 from the field, including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc, in all. In the third quarter alone, he went 5-for-5 from deep and added two assists in helping push Phoenix to an 84-74 cushion going to the final frame.

Adeleke’s first double-double in the league was already secured as early as the first half where he had 10 points and 11 rebounds while fellow starter Intal chipped in 11 points.

But it was Baracael who had a big hand in giving Phoenix a 50-47 edge at the break by hitting his first three shots before notching 12 points in 13 minutes even joining hands with Adeleke and Garcia in bringing the Fuelmasters back from a 23-30 deficit.

For his part, Thornton already had 12 points and six rebounds at the half and got help from Jonas Villanueva in giving NLEX a 24-21 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

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TAGS: 2016 Commissioner's Cup, NLEX Road Warriors, pba, Phoenix Fuel Masters, RR Garcia

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