Ricci Rivero fires career-best 40 points in win over streaking Terrafirma 

For three games, Terrafirma had looked like one of the early surprises of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

On Wednesday night at the Ynares Center, however, Phoenix made sure that unbeaten run came to a crashing halt — and Ricci Rivero made sure everyone knew exactly who was in charge.

Rivero delivered the finest scoring night of his PBA career, pouring in 40 points in a dazzling all-around performance that fueled the Fuel Masters to a 133-105 demolition of the Dyip. It wasn’t just a personal milestone. It was a statement win for a Phoenix squad trying to establish itself as a legitimate playoff threat.

From the opening half alone, Rivero had already seized control of the game.

He dropped 21 points before halftime, setting the tone for a relentless Phoenix attack that blew the game open in the second quarter. 

By the time the Fuel Masters finished their surge, they had turned what was expected to be a competitive matchup into a one-sided showcase of firepower.

Rivero did the damage from everywhere — knocking down seven triples, attacking in transition, and creating for others whenever Terrafirma tried to send extra attention his way. He also finished with six rebounds and eight assists in a complete performance that showed both confidence and command.

The outburst couldn’t have come at a better time for Phoenix, which was looking to respond after absorbing a 93-86 loss to Meralco in its previous outing. Instead of lingering on that setback, the Fuel Masters answered with their most explosive showing yet.

Coach Charles Tiu made it clear the result meant more than just one big night.

“We’re just trying to rack up some wins,” said the young mentor. “Kasi ang goal lang naman namin, first and foremost, is to try to make a playoff push. We know naman that the Phoenix franchise has been hungry for a playoff berth.”

Phoenix certainly played like a team with urgency.

While Rivero stole the spotlight, he had plenty of support. Ef Escandor added 20 points, doing much of his work in the fourth quarter to keep the pressure on as the Fuel Masters buried any hopes of a Terrafirma comeback. Import James Dickey III supplied a steady interior presence with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while also stuffing the stat sheet with three assists, three steals, and a block.

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The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters are back on track after putting an end to the Terrafirma Dyip’s unbeaten streak while Ricci Rivero scores career-high after putting on a scoring clinic.#PBA50 #PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/7eGhrsSz8Q

— Kapatid Insider (@KapatidInsider) March 25, 2026

Evan Nelle chipped in 14 points, and veteran big man Prince Caperal contributed 11, as Phoenix spread the floor and punished Terrafirma with wave after wave of offense.

By the final buzzer, the numbers painted the picture of just how sharp the Fuel Masters had been. Phoenix shot 52.8 percent from the field and drilled 19 three-pointers, a shooting display that left the Dyip chasing shadows for most of the night. The Fuel Masters even erupted for 40 points in the third quarter, turning the game into a full-scale rout.

‘The shooting was good. I wish we could shoot like this every game,” said Tiu.

For Terrafirma, the loss served as a harsh reset after its dream start. Jerrick Ahanmisi did everything he could to keep the Dyip afloat, erupting for 37 points in a brave offensive effort. But outside of him, consistent scoring never arrived. Import Mubashar Ali was the only other player in double figures with 13 points, though he did haul down 17 rebounds while absorbing much of Phoenix’s defensive attention.

The bigger concern for Terrafirma may be what lies ahead.After opening the conference with three straight wins, the Dyip now head into a far more unforgiving stretch, with Magnolia, TNT, and Rain or Shine waiting in their next three assignments. 

Their early momentum has given them a cushion, but Wednesday’s blowout also exposed how much tougher life becomes once teams begin to zero in on them.

As for Phoenix, the victory may prove to be more than just a tally in the win column.

At 3-1, the Fuel Masters are now level with Terrafirma in the standings, but they carry the edge in confidence after a performance that showcased their offensive ceiling. More importantly, it offered a glimpse of what they can become when Rivero is at full throttle and the supporting cast follows.

Phoenix will now have time to build on that momentum, with its next game not coming until April 5 against NLEX at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

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