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MATTHEW WRIGHT and the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters got into the rhythm when it mattered most to frustrate the Magnolia Hotshots, 91-84, Friday at the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the University Foundation gym. of Angeles in Pampanga.
The Fuel Masters trailed by 17 points, 45-62, at the end of the third quarter, but fought back hard with Wright scoring nine of his 23 points in the fourth period despite an atrocious 0-for-6 shot from the zone three. points to secure his third win in five games.
“These are mature young people who are willing to play and we gave them the freedom to innovate and try things. They’re going to hit those shots, ”said Phoenix coach Topex Robinson, who was also excited by the state of Calvin Abueva’s return from indefinite suspension.
Phoenix scored 22 unanswered points in saving the third and fourth quarters to transform that huge deficit into an 89-80 cushion.
Jason Perkins finished with a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Justin Chua had 14 points, Ryan Roose Garcia contributed 12 points and veteran JC Intal added eight points for the Fuel Masters.
Chris Banchero led Magnolia with 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to save the Hotshots from a third straight setback that sent them reeling to a 1-4 win-loss record.
Meralco lashed out at NLEX, 101-92, for his third win in five outings in the other game. NLEX fell to 1-4.
Scores:
First game
Meralco 101 – Newsome 18, Maliksi 17, Amer 11, Almazan 11, Hodge 10, Black 9, Quinto 9, Jamito 7, Hugnatan 6, Jackson 3, Faundo 0, Jose 0, Pinto 0, Caram 0.
NLEX 92 – Ravena 30, Semerad 16, Alas 10, Cruz 9, Porter 8, Ayonayon 7, Soyud 6, Quinahan 6, Faundo 0, Miranda 0, Varilla 0, Ighalo 0.
Trimesters: 25-17; 41-39; 73-65; 101-92.
Second game
PHOENIX 91– Wright 23, Perkins 20, Chua 14, García 12, Intal 8, Jazul 7, Napoles 4, Marcelo 2, Ríos 2, Heruela 1, Gamboa 0.
MAGNOLIA 84 – Banchero 20, Sangalang 15, Reavis 12, Lee 10, Barroca 10, Dela Rosa 7, Jalalon 3, Calisaan 2, Corpuz 2, Melton 3, Abundo 0, Pascual 0
Quarters: 22-16, 34-39, 60-71, 91-84.
