Macau beats Phoenix for graceful exit

MANILA, Philippines —  For guest team Macau, it’s all about bowing out of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup swinging.

Out of the playoffs picture, the Black Knights made it a graceful exit by beating Phoenix Super LPG, 105-98, last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Jenning Leung had a lights-out performance of 32 points spiked by six triples and one four-pointer to lead the team’s spirited efforts in its last hurrah in the mid-season conference.

The Black Knights would go home with a 3-9 win-loss record, good for 11th overall in the 13-squad field.

The loss, meanwhile, dragged the Fuel Masters to 6-5 for sixth between No. 5 Magnolia (6-5) and No. 7 TNT (6-5) heading to the final push for the quarterfinals.

“It’s always good to finish on a win,” said Leung, whose three three-point bombs and 13-point splurge in the fourth ignited Macau’s telling 30-23 closeout.

Ramon Cao also came out big in their final bow, rifling in 23, as did Phoenix Shackelford, who shot 13, Tony Mitchell, who grabbed 24 rebounds to go with 13 markers and Xingzhao Chao, who gunned 12, all from beyond the arc.

“Everybody was hyped (prior to the game), cheering for each other. We had a good few days of practice and our morale was high” said coach Marcus Elliot. “We’re looking forward to what’s next for us coming up but to end on this note is perfect.”

Macau spoiled the 27-point eruption of Ken Tuffin and the monster 20-22-8 outing of Johnathan Williams for Phoenix.

After wiping out Macau’s early 20-point lead, the Fuel Masters threatened to pull away with a 91-86 upperhand in the fourth. But then Leung went to work from the three-point arc.