Fuel Masters squeak past Hotshots

MANILA, Philippines — Phoenix Petroleum rose from the depths of a 16-point deficit then banked on Matthew Wright’s clutch three-pointer in the last 3.2 seconds to steal an 89-87 victory over Magnolia in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the MOA Arena in Pasay City last night.

The Fuel Masters played lackadaisically through the first three quarters before responding to the call of their coach to save the game and catch up with the Alaska Milk Aces, the GlobalPort Batang Pier and the Meralco Bolts at 2-1.

The Hotshots blew a big 62-46 lead in the third and an 84-75 margin in the last 5:49, and worse – committed a crucial technical foul in calling an excessive timeout after Wright’s three-pointer.

Wright canned in the technical free throw, then PJ Simon missed his desperation heave from way out as the Hotshots, the all-Filipino runners-up, dropped their debut in the mid-season tourney.

“Coach was passionate in calling us out at the half and we just responded,” said Willy Wilson, among the players that keyed Phoenix’s fightback.

“We’re very flat the whole first 24 minutes and I challenged the guys in the huddle at halftime. It’s not about the X’s and O’s. I just asked them if they have pride, bring it on the floor,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.

“In the early part of the game, we played the same. Then I changed my substitution pattern. The tempo changed on the entry of LA Revilla. So LA was a key,” Alas added.

The Fuel Masters closed in, 67-70, on back-to-back baskets by Jeff Chan and Wilson at the start of the fourth before sailing ahead, 85-84, on a decisive 10-to-nothing attack by Jason Perkins, RJ Jazul, Wilson, Chan and import James White.

The Hotshots, however, regained the upper hand at 86-85 then made it 87-85 before Wright made the biggest basket in the game – a step-back trey that swished through the net to the wild celebration of the Phoenix bench.

Then Magnolia coach Chito Victolero made a signal with a finger pointed at the table officials.

TNT KaTropa opened a crucial eight-point gap on three consecutive treys by Terrence Romeo and Jayson Castro midway through the fourth quarter and went on to preserve a clean slate with a 96-92 win over Barangay Ginebra later in the night.

Castro continued to thrive on an off-the-bench role, pouring in a game-high 27 points to lead a hot charge by the TNT locals in their third win in as many outings in the mid-season tourney.

RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario and Don Trollano scored 15, 14 and 11 points, respectively, to help make up for the mere five-point combined production of import Jeremy Tyler and Romeo.