TYLER Tio came through in the clutch, helping Phoenix Super LPG stun reigning champion TNT in overtime, 100-97, on Friday in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Tio banked in a gutsy three-pointer over Bol Bol's outstretched arms with 1.8 seconds to go that enabled the Fuelmasters to steal a win in a fiercely fought game and revive their bid for a Top Four finish in the eliminations.
WATCH:
Tio's last-second basket preserved the game-long heroics of Ricci Rivero and the solid debut of import Johnathan Williams as Phoenix Super LPG joined TNT at fourth place in the leaderboard on 6-4 (win-loss) records.
Rivero topscored with 31 points and put Phoenix in position to steal the win by draining a three with 39.6 seconds left, 96-95. He also helped Phoenix overcome an 87-81 deficit in regulation by starting a 9-0 run with an acrobatic reverse lay-up.
Rivero, however, sustained an injury to his hand after a foul by Jayson Castro while attempting a steal. Rivero's hand was left bloodied but Phoenix still won in his absence, thanks to Tio's clutch basket.
Tio finished with 14 points, the game-winner being his only three of the match.
“That bank shot by Tyler, I'll take it,” said Phoenix coach Charles Tiu. “I really appreciate the effort of the guys. I didn't take Ricci out the whole second half because he was just balling out there until he got hurt.
"Our guys were cramping up, J3 our import was cramping up, Tyler was cramping up by the third quarter. Perk (Jason Perkins) was also cramping up late in the game, but they didn't quit.”
“We knew how important this game was for us and we really played well. We were up for the challenge,” said Tiu.
Williams, in his first game replacing James Dickey, made an impact with 22 points and 15 rebounds.
Bol had 30 points and 20 rebounds, and sent the game into overtime with a lay-up. The TNT import also scored the first four points of the extra session, 95-91, but the Tropang 5G couldn't hold on to the lead.
The scores:
Phoenix Super LPG 100 – Rivero 31, Williams 22, Perkins 15, Tio 14, Tuffin 11, Santos 5, Delos Santos 2, Ynot 0, Daves 0, Nelle 0, Escandor 0.
TNT 97 – Bol 30, Oftana 22, Pogoy 17, Khobuntin 11, Castro 11, Williams 2, Galinato 2, Heading 2, Nambatac 0, Enciso 0, Nieto 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
Quarters: 26-20; 48-51; 75-73; 91-91; 100-97.
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