Phoenix has defeated another top-tier team in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup.

Kenneth Tuffin’s follow-up with 0.7 seconds left gave the Fuel Masters their second straight victory, 93-91, over Rain or Shine at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Saturday.

Donovan Smith also hit critical shots in the fourth, with the help of a local crew managed by Tyler Tio, as the Fuelmasters improved to 3-5 and returned to the quarterfinals.

Phoenix upset another league leader, as the Fuelmasters beat current No. 1 NorthPort many weeks ago.

Tuffin’s clean-up off a Jason Perkins miss was the game’s key play, as Phoenix snapped its five-game winning streak.

The Fuelmasters also climbed up to ninth position in the team standings, along with NLEX and Magnolia, as the battle for the lowest two spots in the quarterfinals heated up.

Phoenix’s next game comes on Thursday, against Magnolia.

Phoenix had a lead of as many as 12 points, 36-24, however, unlike in previous games, the Fuelmasters were able to finish the game by outscoring the Elasto Painters 23-20 in the last canto.

Smith ended with 22 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, and Tio added 16 points and three steals for the Fuelmasters.

Smith’s dunk put Phoenix up, 87-80, with 4:28 left in the game. Despite leading 91-86, the Fuelmasters allowed five straight points, including a winner by Jhonard Clarito, to level the game.

An ill-advised three by Andrei Caracut over Smith gave Phoenix a chance to win, which the Fuelmasters eventually did. Smith deflected Deon Thompson’s three-pointer on the game’s final possession.

“We’re happy, but we can’t be satisfied kasi we had chances to have a better record. So I blame myself for that. Like what I always say, the most important game is the next game. As soon as we get out of the dugout, we need to rest our bodies and then prepare for the next game. And that is Magnolia.”

RR Garcia finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Perkins and RJ Jazul had 12 and 11 points, respectively. Tuffin tallied eight points and seven rebounds.

Thompson had 22 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and five steals, while Santi Santillan added 19 points. Rain or Shine, which played without Caelan Tiongson and Felix Lemetti due to injury, remained in second place despite the loss.

The Scores

Phoenix 93 – Smith 22, Tio 16, Garcia 14, Perkins 12, Jazul 11, Tuffin 8, Ballungay 8, Daves 2, Ular 0, Muyang 0, Salado 0, Verano 0, Camacho 0, Alejandro 0.

Rain or Shine 91 – Thompson 22, Santillan 19, Nocum 16, Clarito 11, Caracut 8, Datu 7, Belga 5, Demusis 3, Malonzo 0, Asistio 0, Ildefonso 0, Norwood 0.

Quarter scores: 17-18; 50-46; 70-71; 93-91.