Phoenix secures first victory over NLEX, propelled by Tyler Tio's outstanding career game
Tyler Tio Sets New High in Phoenix's First Win
Manila, PH - In a thrilling showdown, Tyler Tio blazed his way to a career-defining performance as Phoenix claimed its maiden victory in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, defeating NLEX 111-97 at the PhilSports Arena on October 8.
Tio, the sharp-shooting ace, racked up a jaw-dropping 26 points, passing his previous highest score of 21 points, achieved in a loss to Bay Area. He drained an impressive 5-of-10 three-pointers in the second half, scoring 18 stunning points as Phoenix leaned on its vibrant young stars, with veterans absent due to injuries.
Jason Perkins was still recovering from a knee surgery, while Sean Anthony suffered a whiplash against the Dragons. In their absence, Tio, Javee Mocon, and Encho Serrano stepped up, denying Frankie Lim a victory in his debut as NLEX head coach.
The Fuel Masters pulled away in the fourth quarter, thanks to a combined effort of 20 points from Tio, Mocon, and Serrano. Mocon finished with a monstrous 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Serrano contributed 17 points, 3 assists in just 17 minutes off the bench.
Kaleb Wesson was instrumental in the win, with 22 points, 21 rebounds, and 7 assists. He and the Fuel Masters held reinforcement Earl Clark at bay in the fourth quarter, limiting him to only 2 points. Clark had previously exploded for 36 points, 20 rebounds, and 8 assists, but Phoenix managed to outscore NLEX 30-20 in the final frame.
RJ Jazul added 17 points for Phoenix, while Don Trollano backed Clark with 18 points in NLEX's loss. The Road Warriors slipped to 2-1 as a result.
Tune in to our chat room on our website Communities app to share your thoughts on this game and more. Find us on iOS, Android, or web, by tapping the Community tab on the app.
Contribute to empowering great stories—join our website community today!
Tyler Tio's career-defining performance in Phoenix's first win is significant as he scored a new high of 26 points, which surpassed his previous best of 21 points. In the NBA context, Tio's impressive second-half display, where he drained 5-of-10 three-pointers, could be compared to a stellar NBA basketball game.
