Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Phoenix Fuel Masters ended 2016 on a high note after completing a comeback against the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 101-99, in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Mark Borboran registered 23 points to lead the Fuel Masters, while Matthew Wright chipped in 19 of his own.
With GlobalPort touting a sizeable 87-61 advantage after a Niño Canaleta trey to open the payoff period, the game look done and dusted.
But Phoenix refused to bow down.
The Fuel Masters battled back to reduce the lead to 96-88 with only 2:51 left on the clock, before veteran Cyrus Baguio took over.
Baguio waxed hot in the final two minutes, scoring seven straight points for the Fuel Masters to trim the GlobalPort advantage down to 96-95 with 1:42 left in regulation.
JC Intal completed the turn around for Phoenix in their succeeding possession, giving Phoenix the 97-96 lead with a lay-in with only 55 ticks left to play.
GlobalPort’s Terrence Romeo put the game on knife’s edge by sinking three free throws to tie the game up at 99-apiece with 21 seconds on the clock.
Simon Enciso was off target when he tried to ice the game for Phoenix with a trey, but fortunately for the Fuel Masters Borboran came away with the offensive rebound and scored the put back to win the game.
Romeo tried to win the game with a last second three-point attempt, but failed to hit the mark.
Romeo led GlobalPort with 32 markers in a losing effort.
Phoenix improved to a 4-3 record in the conference, while GlobalPort slid down to a 3-3 slate.
Read: Mahindra edges Blackwater for first win in PH Cup, 97-93
