PHOENIX Super LPG got off to a rousing start under new head coach Charles Tiu, beating Magnolia Chicken Timplados, 101-98, on Friday in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Fuelmasters drew vital performances from James Dickey III, Jason Perkins, and Kai Ballungay to start a new chapter for a team that went through a rejig in the break in between conferences.
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Phoenix also showed admirable composure in the end, foiling a late Magnolia comeback behind Evan Nelle's clutch basket with 17.2 seconds that kept the lead at 100-96.
Phoenix was already up, 92-79, the biggest of the game, but Magnolia made a furious run to close the gap to 98-96 before that shot by Nelle.
The Fuel Masters got off to a strong start, taking a 27-23 lead, and went on a 9-0 blast midway through the third to grab a 72-61 advantage.
“I was really waiting for the game to finish. Sabi ko, can the game end in the first quarter when we were up?” said Tiu. “And then we were up in the fourth, I’m like ‘Man, I knew they are going to make a run.’ Lucky enough, we made some stops down the stretch.
"The zone really slowed us down, but credit to the players, they made plays and they got the stops just enough to escape with the win,” Tiu added.
Perkins scored 19 points while Ballungay and Kenneth Tuffin totalled 12 points apiece for the Fuelmasters.
Nuni Omot had 27 points just a couple of days after joining Magnolia as a replacement for original choice Terrell Soares. Zavier Lucero added 19 points and seven rebounds for the Hotshots.
The scores:
Phoenix Super LPG 101 – Dickey 20, Perkins 19, Ballungay 12, Tuffin 12, Nelle 10, Rivero 10, Tio 7, Santos 6, Cullar 3, Escandor 2, Caperal 0.
Magnolia 98 – Omot 27, Lucero 19, Lastimosa 18, Sangalang 8, Gomez de Liano 8, Andrada 7, Dela Rosa 4, Lee 4, Barroca 3, Escoto 0.
Quarters: 27-23; 48-50; 79-72; 101-98.
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