At the half, Phoenix Pulse coach Louie Alas called the attention of his player to play defense.

The Fuel Masters did more than that at the resumption of play, playing defense and exploding for 45 points in the third quarter en route to a 111-103 drubbing of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.

Richard Howell and his teammates responded big time even when Alas was already out of the game, ejected on technical infractions midway through the fourth.