Phoenix heats up in fourth quarter, burns Magnolia in massive run

Phoenix Super LPG erased a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter behind a great run to stun Magnolia, 91-84, and snap a two-game streak Friday night at the PBA Philippine Cup in the Center. Cultural and Sports of the University Foundation of Angeles in Angeles City. Pampanga.

On the brink of another defeat, the Fuel Masters refused to give up and fell back from an 80-67 margin with more than eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter by scoring 22 unanswered points to take the lead and ultimately claim a massive victory. about the Hotshots. .

Matthew Wright threw 23 points with seven rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Jason Perkins added 20 points and 12 rebounds while Phoenix improved to 3-2 after ending a difficult three-game streak in five nights on a winning note.

Magnolia suffered their third straight loss after another collapse, falling to 1-4. The Hotshots blew a five-point lead in Tuesday’s 109-104 overtime loss to the Meralco Bolts.

Interim coach Topex Robinson credited his boys’ resilience with erasing the deficit that seemed unattainable before becoming excited about the difficulty of not having Calvin Abueva back.

Abueva has yet to see his indefinite suspension lifted by the PBA despite meeting the conditions set by the league and the Board of Games and Entertainment despite being allowed to be with the team inside the bubble.

“It is very difficult, especially at the moment. But winning it for Calvin is really important to us, ”Robinson said as he fought back tears.

Wright scored eight during that run, including back-to-back hits that tied the game at 80 with 3:30 left in the fourth.

Phoenix extended the attack when RJ Jazul, Justin Chua and JC Intal arrived with 3s that put them definitely at 89-80, 1:39 remaining.

Magnolia tried to rally behind two free throws by Mark Barroca and a basket by Roma dela Cruz, but RR Garcia hit an unopposed layup to seal Phoenix’s victory.

The painful setback nullified Chris Banchero’s 20-point outing, with 12 in the first half giving Magnolia a 39-34 lead at halftime.

The Hotshots led by a high of 17 in the third and were ahead 80-69 on Ian Sangalang’s basket before it all went downhill.

Scores:

PHOENIX 91 – Wright 23, Perkins 20, Chua 14, García 12, Intal 8, Jazul 7, Napoles 4, Marcelo 2, Heruela 1, Ríos 0, Gamboa 0.

MAGNOLIA 84 – Banchero 20, Sangalang 15, Reavis 12, Barroca 10, Lee 10, Dela Rosa 7, Melton 3, Jalalon 3, Corpuz 2, Calisaan 2, Pascual 0, Abundo 0.

Trimesters: 16-22, 34-39, 60-71, 91-84.