Nick Fazekas lives another day after scoring a season-high 45 points and grabbed 22 caroms to snatch the Win against the Marcus Douthit lead AIR21 with 102-88 Win, Wednesday in the PBA Commisioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Not bad for someone whom coach Ato Agustin and management thought of replacing after they lost their first two games in the mid-season tourney.
"Napag-usapan talaga iyon pero hindi muna itinuloy. We decided na bigyan pa siya ng tsansa," related Agustin.
"Sa ngayon hindi na namin talaga siya papalitan," insisted Agustin. "Unless, of course, masugatan,na huwag naman sana."
Petron Blaze import was set to be replace after a consecutive loss at the start of the season , but his time the former NBA Veteran prove his worth after out scoring almost the Entire AIR21 team at the start of the of game.
Guards Alex Cabagnot and Denok Miranda lead the supporting cast with 13 and 12 while Arwin Santos help Fazekas with some interior defense and rebounding as he finished the game with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Smart Gilas Pilipinas Naturalize Player Marcus Douthit provided some muscle in the shaded lane as he lead the AIR21 with a 23-22 points rebound performance which actually lead during the first half before Nick Fazekas' outburst.
Petron (102) – Fazekas 45, Cabagnot 13, Santos 12, Miranda 12, Ildefonso 7, Agustin 6, Yeo 3, Doruelo 2, Tugade 2, Reyes 0.
Air 21 (88) – Douthit 23, Duncil 18, Jazul 12, Ritualo 12, Isip 10, Omolon 6, Sison 4, Sena 2, Hubalde 1, Escobal 0.
Quarterscores: 22-27; 48-39; 72-69; 102-88.