Phoenix stays unbeaten as Johnson-led Fuel Masters survive Grigsby’s 42-point debut for Ginebra

Phoenix Super LPG weathered a late Barangay Ginebra rally to secure an 81-78 victory and maintain its perfect start in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The Fuel Masters improved to 3-0, taking the early lead in Group B and marking their strongest conference opening since winning their first five games of the 2019 Philippine Cup, according to league statistician Fidel Mangonon III.

Phoenix looked in control after building a 14-point cushion with less than five minutes remaining, but Ginebra responded with a spirited comeback in its conference debut, led by new import Riley Grigsby.

Grigsby brought the Gin Kings within striking distance, cutting the deficit to three points with 3.7 seconds left. Phoenix nearly gave Ginebra another opportunity after import BJ Johnson missed two late free throws, but the Fuel Masters held their ground defensively.

Johnson redeemed himself by challenging Jeremiah Gray’s potential game-tying four-point attempt at the buzzer, allowing Phoenix to escape with the victory.

"We’re having a little luck and we don’t want to let it slip away. Ginebra is a different team out there without their MVPs," said Phoenix head coach Charles Tiu.

"They don’t have Scottie Thompson and they don’t have Justin Brownlee. We’re close to choking and we’re happy nanalo pa rin kami," he added.

Johnson once again filled the stat sheet, leading Phoenix with 23 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, five steals, and two blocks.

The game also marked the Phoenix debut of newly acquired guard Gian Mamuyac, who joined the Fuel Masters after being traded by Rain or Shine last Thursday. The former Elasto Painters captain scored six points on 3-of-4 shooting while adding one rebound, three assists, and a block in 18 minutes off the bench.

Ricci Rivero contributed 16 points and nine rebounds despite committing eight turnovers, while Kai Ballungay added 12 points and five boards. Jason Perkins also provided a solid effort with 10 points and seven rebounds.

For Ginebra, Grigsby immediately made an impact in his first PBA appearance, exploding for 42 points and 13 rebounds while replacing longtime import Justin Brownlee, who remains sidelined while recovering from a leg injury.

However, Grigsby received limited help from the rest of the lineup, with no other Gin King reaching double figures. RJ Abarrientos finished with eight points on 16 attempts from the field.

Tiu said Phoenix wanted to take advantage of Ginebra’s opening game of the conference and the adjustment period with a new import.

"We wanted to try to catch them off guard as it’s their first game, and they’re playing with a new import. We tried to step on the gas," he said.