Fuel Masters rally, raze Hotshots

MANILA, Philippines -- The Phoenix Fuel Masters rose above the Magnolia Hotshots, 98-86, in their PBA Governors’ Cup clash Saturday evening at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal. 

Trailing by as much as 16 points in the first half, Phoenix broke the game wide open in the second half as they held off the dangerous Hotshots. 

BJ Johnson top-scored for the Fuel Masters with 34 points and 10 rebounds, while Jason Perkins added 23 points. Tyler Tio chipped in 11 markers in the win. 

“I think we played much better in the second half. We responded, we defended better. We're not known as the best defensive team, but we found a way to win, to get some stops,” Phoenix head coach Charles Tiu said. 

“Obviously, I think it helped that we got their import into foul trouble. But give credit to the guys, they woke up and played differently in the second half,” he added. 

Trailing by four, 49-53, at the half, Phoenix unleashed 30 points in the third quarter to take a 79-71 lead heading to the fourth frame. 

But a 10-1 run capped by a triple by Tio, made it an 89-72 advantage with eight minutes left. 

The Hotshots, though, did not go down without a fight, slicing the deficit to nine, 83-92, with 2:49 to go after a layup by Jerom Lastimosa. 

But a triple by Tio on the other end doused the fire on the Hotshots. 

“I think it was a big win for us. I think in this conference, all the teams are tough. So I think we just want to come out strong, make a statement early,” Johnson said. 

“The game was tough. They fought the whole game, whether they were down, whether they made a run or we made a run. And I think down the stretch, we just kind of locked in and got the win.” 

Ken Tuffin added seven points while Kai Ballungay, Santos and Ricci Rivero had six apiece. 

Zav Lucero stood tall for Magnolia with 20 points. KJ Buffen tallied 15 points while Lastimosa and Ian Sangalang had 14 and 13, respectively.