MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados needed a crucial basket from Tyler Bey in the end game to beat Phoenix Super LPG, 82-79, on Wednesday in Game One of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Bey scored a three-point play off a drop pass by Paul Lee with 1:27 left to break a 78-78 deadlock, just enough to nudge the Hotshots ahead in a fiercely fought, defense-oriented opener of the best-of-five playoff.
The high-flying import also drained the free throw that gave Magnolia a three-point lead lead with 3.8 seconds left. On the final possession, Jason Perkins missed a potential game-tying three-pointer for Phoenix.
The Hotshots can take a 2-0 lead in Game Two on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Bey had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Hotshots, while Lee added 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists even after rolling his ankle during the first half that saw Phoenix lead, 41-38.
“We were very frustrated in the first half because wala ‘yung rhythm,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero. “I told them that we need to grind this game and we have to have that mental toughness to execute our game plan.”
“It was hard for them because they (Phoenix) also played well on defense. We need that mindset that this is not an easy game for us,” Victolero said.
Mark Barroca added 10 points including a jumper that increased Magnolia’s lead to 78-73 with 2:59 left in the contest.
Perkins had 25 points, but missed the offensive presence of Johnathan Williams, who had a season-low 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting from the field. The Phoenix import, however, grabbed 18 rebounds.
Williams also scored a hook shot that led to a three-point play in a five-point swing that tied the game at 78 before Bey’s heroics.
The Fuel Masters lost despite taking a 53-44 lead midway in the third quarter.
The scores:
Magnolia 82 – Bey 23, Lee 11, Barroca 10, Abueva 9, Sangalang 8, Dionisio 8, Jalalon 7, Laput 6, Tratter 0, Dela Rosa 0, Mendoza 0.
Phoenix 79 – Perkins 25, Jazul 13, Mocon 11, Williams 11, Tio 6, Tuffin 5, Manganti 3, Garcia 3, Lalata 2, Soyud 0, Alejandro 0, Daves 0, Verano 0, Camacho 0, Rivero 0.
Quarters: 18-16; 38-41; 61-60; 82-79.
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