Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Donovan Smith in action against TerraFirma Dyip in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — The Phoenix Fuel Masters halted the comeback attempt of TerraFirma Dyip to post their second victory in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.

The Jamike Jarin-mentored team did not let their guard down against the hapless Dyip and tallied a 112-108 victory on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Donovan Smith fired 37 points with seven rebounds, five rejections, and three assists, to help Phoenix climb up to 2-5 in the team standings, while also providing aid were Jason Perkins (16 points), Ricci Rivero (14 points, five assists, three steals), and Tyler Tio (10 points).

”We come into work every day with the same attitude regardless if we would’ve won five straight or lost,” said Smith after the game. “It’s just keeping that positive mindset within the guys to make sure that we have the same goal. That will carry us into the New Year. It’s a fresh start, so we just need to focus on our next games and build on the win that we have today.”

After leading by 16, 67-51, earlier in the third period, the Fuel Masters suddenly saw themselves only leading by four, 93-89, early in the final canto as Brandon Edwards, Vic Manuel, and Mark Nonoy rallied TerraFirma back within a possession.

A Smith and-one at the 10:07-mark then allowed Phoenix to distance themselves, 96-89, while he and Perkins made two straight baskets two minutes later to push their lead back to 11, 102-91, at the 7:59 mark.

Nonoy answered with a three-pointer with still 7:19 left on the clock to revive the Dyip’s comeback hopes anew, as they only trailed 101-92, but the Fuel Masters regained their footing and even led by 14, 116-102. This was after a Kai Ballungay three-point play as well as Smith draining two shots at the foul line with only 1:18 remaining in the game.

Earlier in the contest, the Dyip actually led by nine, 38-29, following their strong first-quarter performance which was even extended by Manuel’s lay-in at the 11:43 mark of the second quarter.

Unfortunately for TerraFirma, Smith and Ken Tuffin slowly lifted the Fuel Masters back through an 18-to-2 rampage in a span of five minutes which was capped by a three-pointer by the former with still 6:31 remaining in the first half.

Their lead even grew to 12 right before halftime ended, and they went on to build on this momentum until the final buzzer sounded to keep their slim quarterfinals aspirations alive.

On the other hand, the Dyip, who fell to 0-8, were paced by Edward’s 25-point, 10-rebound game with three assists, two blocks, and a steal.

Helping him were former Letran Knights gunners Louie Sangalang and Brent Paraiso as the former tallied 22 markers and six rebounds, while the latter scattered 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

The Scores:

Phoenix 122 – Smith 37, Perkins 16, Rivero 14, Tio 10, Ballungay 10, Tuffin 8, Muyang 7, Jazul 4, Alejandro 4, Daves 3, Manganti 3, Garcia 2, Salado 2, Verano 2, Ular 0.

TerraFirma 108 – Edwards 25, Sangalang 22, Paraiso 16, Nonoy 12, Carino 11, Hernandez 7, Manuel 6, Melecio 5, Pringle 2, Ramos 2, Catapusan 0.

Quarterscores:  29-36, 60-49, 88-84, 122-108.