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Phoenix's Ricci Rivero soars for a layup in their PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup encounter against Terrafirma, March 25, 2026. PBA Images
MANILA — Ricci Rivero exploded for a career-high 40 points as Phoenix overpowered surprise league leader Terrafirma, 133-105, in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Rivero in his best outing yet in the professional league, reached the 40-point through his seven makes from the arc, while Francis Escandor supplemented the former UP Fighting Maroon's attack with a career-high of his own with 20 points.
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“All credit to Ricci. I think he had five 3s in the first half, 5-out of-5 siya, was hot to end the second quarter and that was really big for us to get the lead. I think that was the key,” said coach Charles Tiu, praising Rivero's offensive prowess.
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James Dickey III also had 14 points, but his presence was mostly felt in saving possessions, garnering 13 rebounds.
The 28-point drubbing of the erstwhile unbeaten Dyip was the Fuel Masters' way of putting to waste Jerrick Ahanmisi's own career-night of 37 points. Import Mubashar Ali, for his part, was held to only 13 markers.
The Scores:
PHOENIX 133 – Rivero 40, Escandor 20, Dickey 14, Nelle 14, Caperal 11, Perkins 9, Daves 8, Tuffin 7, Delos Santos 4, Santos 3, Gozum 3, Tio 0, Ando 0.
TERRAFIRMA 105 – J.Ahanmisi 37, Ali 13, Hernandez 9, M.Ahanmisi 9, Umali 8, Hanapi 6, Chiu 6, Eriobu 4, Bravo 4, Catapusan 4, Paraiso 3, Zaldivar 2, Garcia 0, Adamos 0.
QUARTERS: 25-23, 56-46, 96-73, 133-105.