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Matthew Wright’s late triple launched the Phoenix Fuel Masters past the Magnolia Hotshots, 89-88, and entered the semifinals of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena.
Down by two and the shot clock was running out, Wright was the hero when he buried a one-legged 3-point shot with 9.8 seconds left to propel his team to victory. He finished with 32 points, including five triples, to accompany five rebounds and nine assists.
“When we were getting ready for the headlines, I don’t know if they realized, that was the first time Matthew Wright didn’t start for us,” Phoenix coach Topex Robinson said. “Your best player sacrificing his starting position for the good of the whole team is just magical for us. I don’t know how he made that shot. He told me after he made that shot, trust my coach, I said with all my heart, and that’s something special. So magical. “
Magnolia took the lead after Ian Sanggalang scored on the inside with less than two minutes to go. The two teams were stuck on the following possessions as the defense rallied. Calvin Abueva couldn’t tie the game at the free throw line, but he made up for it with a crucial steal at the other end.
With the game on the line moments later, Wright rose to the occasion and hit the game winner. Paul Lee tried to counter, but his fadeaway signature missed the mark.
Jason Perkins was also instrumental for Phoenix down the stretch, hitting key baskets when he finished with 16 points and six rebounds.
For Magnolia, Lee had 17 points, five rebounds and six assists. Sanggalang and Mark Barroca, meanwhile, have 15 apiece.
Phoenix will now face TNT Tropang Giga in the semifinals.
“At this point, we are happy to be here. The more we play against the best teams like Matthew said, the better it is for us,” Robinson said. “We are always being the best version of ourselves and we will take a chance against Talk ‘N Text. We are just happy campers. We told our team that we wanted to stay here until December. The longer we have to stay here and inspire other people, we are happy thus “.
THE SCORES
PHOENIX 89 – Wright 32, Perkins 16, Jazul 9, Abueva 6, Chua 5, Heruela 5, Rios 5, Intal 3, Reyes 3, Mallari 3, García 2, Marcelo 0
MAGNOLIA 88 – Lee 17, Sangalang 15, Barroca 15, Dela Rosa 11, Banchero 9, Melton 9, Jalalon 8, Reavis 4, Dionisio 0, Corpuz 0
Quarters: 24-21, 37-39, 66-63, 89-88
ADDITIONAL JARS
Phoenix was 15-of-36 from beyond the arc, better than his average of 13 attempts in 38 attempts.
Magnolia had a 6-game winning streak heading into the playoffs
NEXT GAME
Phoenix vs TNT Tropang Giga, 3:45 pm on November 18
