Phoenix import James Dickey III in action. PBA Images
MANILA — Phoenix stopped a Magnolia rally late in the game to get a winning start in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup, 101-98, on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Fuel Masters looked poised to a rousing victory, but the Hotshots made sure to put up a fight, as the former squandered a 13-point lead which they installed more than five minutes left on the fourth quarter clock, 92-79.
Jerom Lastimosa and Anunwa Omot led a spirited 11-2 run to be within four, 94-90.
Jason Perkins' split from the foul line at the 1:08 mark gave Phoenix a 98-94, but Lastimosa was there again to keep Magnolia's hopes alive, side-stepping the defender en route to a layup, 98-96.
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James Dickey tried a jumper from the baseline, but went out. Luckily for the Phoenix import, the possession stayed with them as Zav Lucero tapped the ball out of bounds in the battle for the loose ball, giving the Fuel Masters another chance.
This time, Evan Nelle made sure to convert a basket, beating Lastimosa, his initial defender and the second line of Magnolia defense — which, notably, also came in late — to expand the Phoenix lead to four, 100-96, 17.2 ticks left.
And then in the ensuing play, Lastimosa missed entirely on his potential game-tying shot from the second arc, signaling coach Charles Tiu's winning debut in the PBA.
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"I knew they are going to make a run," noted Tiu during the postgame press conference. "Lucky enough, we made some stops down the stretch."
Leading the winning pack was Dickey, who had a monster game of 20 points and 26 rebounds, to go with five assists.
Perkins added 19 markers, while Kai Ballungay and Ken Tuffin chipped in 12 markers each. Nelle, who made the clutch drive in the final moments, finished with 10 points, while Ricci Rivero delivered the same scoring output.
Meanwhile, Omot paced the losing cause with 27 points and six rebounds as Magnolia's comeback attempt fell flat to go 0-1.
The Scores:
PHOENIX 101 – Dickey 20, Perkins 19, Ballungay 12, Rivero 10, Nelle 10, Tio 7, Santos 6, Escandor 2, Cullar 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