Two for Tiu: Phoenix rolls on

MANILA, Philippines — Two teams with new coaches, two contrasting starts.

Phoenix roared to back-to-back wins to start Charles Tiu’s tenure, doing so at the expense of Titan, 109-76, to drag Renzy Bajar and the Giant Risers to 0-2 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at Ynares Center-Montalban.

Phoenix’ locals stepped up to the plate as Titan’s defense focused on import James Dickey III after his 20-point, 26-rebound debut in their 101-98 upset over Magnolia two nights before.

Ricci Rivero fired 18, Kenneth Tuffin shot 17 before limping out on an injured ankle, Evan Nelle made 14 and Bryan Santos produced 13 to ease the load of Dickey, who finished with 17-17 this time.

“We really have to win the games na medyo kaya so it’s (2-0 start) really big for the whole team and the whole franchise,” said Rivero, who also had nine boards and four assists in a Player of the Game-earning performance.

“It’s nice to win the game today. We can’t take any game in the PBA for granted; being a part of PBA, it’s very hard to win games against any team so we’re happy to get back- to-back wins,” said Tiu.

Phoenix secured win No. 2 despite missing veteran Jason Perkins and primary playmaker Tyler Tio due to injuries.

Later, NLEX made it two in a row via a 112-105 disposal of Magnolia, which skidded to its second consecutive defeat.