PBA: RJ Jazul, Phoenix wax hot from deep, send NLEX to back-to-back losses

Veteran sniper RJ Jazul caught fire to lead the Phoenix Fuel Masters to a 112-77 victory over NLEX in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.

Jazul connected for six three-pointers to star in their team’s 17-triple effort to finish with 19 points on top of four rebounds and four assists as the Fuel Masters improved to 3-5.

The Road Warriors, who absorbed their second worst defeat in franchise history, slipped to their second straight loss and went 5-3.

Rookie Kenneth Tuffin fired three triples to tally 17 points spiked with seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals while JJ Alejandro chipped in 16 markers on two three-pointers.

The Jamike Jarin-mentored squad turned a 12-point halftime lead to a massive 39-point cushion late in the fourth after another rookie in Ricci Rivero completed a three-point play.

The Road Warriors, who were once on a roll with a four-game winning streak, showed little resistance as Phoenix cruised to a bounce back win after suffering a107-93 beating against Magnolia.

Rookie Enoch Valdez shone for NLEX after flirting with a double-double of 16 points and nine rebounds as the league’s top scorer Robert Bolick was held to just 11 markers on a dismal 23-percent field goal percentage.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News