PHOENIX tactician Topex Robinson learned a thing or two about fortitude during his heydays as a player for the defunct Red Bull franchise from his coach and now Rain or Shine counterpart Yeng Guiao.
In their battle of wits as strategists, Robinson put those lessons to good use against Guiao yesterday.
With Encho Serrano providing the much-needed spark, the Fuel Masters fashioned a 92-83 decision over the gritty Elasto Painters for their fourth straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Down 68-81 with 6:19 left to play in the fourth, Rain or Shine roared back and pulled to within 83-86 on a Gian Mamuyac three-pointer that capped a 17-5 blitz in the last 1:56.
But Serrano, import Kaleb Wesson, and RJ Jazul combined in an endgame run that fended off the Painters’ last-ditch effort.
Wesson had a game-high 21 points, to go with 17 rebounds, four assists, and five blocks, while Serrano poured nine of his 18 markers in the final period.
Serrano, whose driving layup and free throw pegged an 89-83 count in the final 56.1 ticks, also had five boards and issued five dimes, while Jazul finished with 11 points for Phoenix, which sustained the grit and effort it showed in an 89-82 triumph over Meralco eight days ago and rose to 4-3 for sixth.
Rain or Shine, coming off a 113-96 whipping of the Bolts last Saturday, dropped to 3-4.
“We just tried to tell everybody that it will always gonna be ‘us.’ Ang kalaban namin always ay iyong sarili namin, how are we gonna play,” Robinson said. “We knew it was gonna be a physical game. I’ve been with coach Yeng and he always puts so much emphasis on being mentally tough.
