Phoenix hands Terrafirma its first loss of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Phoenix Fuel Masters became the first team in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup to defeat the rolling Terrafirma Dyip, 133–105, on March 25, 2026, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal.

Entering a waxing-hot three-game winning streak, Terrafirma finally found its kryptonite as the Fuel Masters used their speed, efficient 3-point shooting, and effective defensive sets to cap off the impressive dub.

From their fast-break points to their quick curl actions to free up their wing shooters, Phoenix head coach Charles Tiu prepared his wards for their toughest matchup so far since the Commissioner’s Cup kicked off.

To set the tone, Phoenix first made Mubashar Ali’s life miserable after sending quick double teams whenever he established himself in the left block.

During Terrafirma’s past three wins, it was always Ali who steered them to a momentum-boosting start, but against Phoenix, his production was shut down.

After containing Ali, Phoenix’s offense fell in line, led by Ricci Rivero, who reset his career high with 40 points on seven 3-pointers, eight assists and six rebounds.

The combo guard sparked Phoenix’s demoralizing 40–27 run in the third quarter, which ballooned its advantage to 23 points heading into the fourth and final frame.

Unfortunately for the Dyip, Rivero wasn’t done inflicting damage, schooling every backcourt defender Terrafirma threw at him with his signature euro-step layup finishes and aggressive drives to the basket.

Jerrick Ahanmisi tried to keep Terrafirma alive after providing much-needed points, but the collective offensive avalanche from the Fuel Masters proved too much as they tallied their best scoring outing so far in the import-laced conference.

Aside from Rivero, Francis Escandor also delivered for Phoenix, dropping 20 points and five rebounds, while reinforcement James Dickey III added 14 markers and 13 boards.

On the other hand, the biggest issue was Ali’s 13-point performance for Terrafirma, a huge dip from his average of almost 32 points in the team’s first three wins.

Despite suffering its first loss in the tournament, Terrafirma still had something positive to take into the next game after receiving a 37-point explosion from Jerrick Ahanmisi.

Ahanmisi kept Terrafirma within striking distance in the first two quarters, but his personal heroics failed to match Rivero’s masterclass and Phoenix’s defensive resurgence.

The Fuel Masters will look to sustain their momentum on April 5, 2026, against the NLEX Road Warriors, while Terrafirma aims to bounce back and avoid a losing streak on April 7, 2026, against the Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados.