PBA: Phoenix stomps Titan Ultra to stay unbeaten

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters continued their perfect start in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after crushing the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, 109-76, on March 15, 2026, at Ynares Center II in Montalban.

With the massive victory, the Fuel Masters joined the Terrafirma Dyip and the NLEX Road Warriors in the top spot, sharing an undefeated 2-0 record to cap off the first week of the import-laced conference on a high note.

After a miraculous escape to frustrate the Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados in the league opener, Phoenix made sure no slow start could hinder its goal as it pulled off an impressive wire-to-wire win over the struggling Giant Risers.

As early as the first quarter, Phoenix left no crumbs and cruised past Titan Ultra with a commanding 33-17 advantage heading into the second quarter, en route to a lopsided affair.

The only time the Fuel Masters received a scare was midway through the third quarter, when Titan Ultra leaned on the personal heroics of its import, Michael Gilmore, which helped the Giant Risers pull within seven points.

The hardworking do-it-all reinforcement’s paint dominance and shot-blocking led Titan Ultra’s comeback attempt, putting his squad within seven points twice, which ignited its chances of turning the lopsided affair into a mano-a-mano battle.

However, just when the Giant Risers thought they could dump the ball inside to Gilmore at will and let the magic happen, the Fuel Masters had other plans and decided to double-team the bruising enforcer when the fourth quarter kicked off.

As a result, Titan Ultra underwent a disappointing scoring drought, while Phoenix broke the game wide open once again with a demoralizing 16-2 run that stretched its lead to 23 points, 89-66.

Unfortunately, Titan Ultra didn’t recover and failed to chop its deficit to a single digit, just like in the third quarter, allowing Phoenix to conduct a masterclass on how to close out a game in style.

Phoenix import James Dickey III remained consistent, dropping another dominant outing with 17 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, four steals and four blocks, while Ricci Rivero tallied 18 markers and nine rebounds.

Steady wing shooter Ken Tuffin delivered the same number of points as Dickey, while the duo of Evan Nelle and Bryan Santos chipped in 14 and 13 markers, respectively.

On the other hand, Gilmore’s performance was again spoiled in Titan Ultra’s second consecutive defeat, as he logged 27 points, 29 rebounds and three blocks.

The Fuel Masters will aim for their third consecutive win on March 21, 2026, against the Meralco Bolts, while Titan Ultra seeks a breakthrough dub on the same date against the San Miguel Beermen.