MANILA – The Phoenix Fuel Masters escaped the TNT Tropang 5G in overtime, 100-97, thanks to the heroics of Ricci Rivero and Tyler Tio on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Phoenix got the lead early in the game, before TNT caught fire from outside in the second quarter to pull ahead by halftime, 51-48.
Rivero took charge for the Fuel Masters in the third frame, scoring 17 points, before he got subbed out after suffering a cut on his hand in the *extra* period.
He erupted for 31 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals, along with clutch triple that put the Fuel Masters back in the driver's seat, 96-95, in the final stretch of overtime.
But it was Tio who saved the day for Phoenix, nailing the game-winning triple with 1.8 seconds left on the clock.
TNT turned to Roger Pogoy for a possible four-point shot to nab the victory, but the veteran guard eventually missed the basket.
"God is good, man. I mean, that bank shot by Tyler [Tio], I'll take it. But yeah, I really appreciate the effort of the guys. I didn't take Ricci [Rivero] out the whole second half because he was just bowling out there until he got hurt. But our guys were cramping up," Phoenix head coach Charles Tiu said during the post-game press conference.
"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, and I appreciate the way they played, and it just feels good to pull off this upset win," he added.
Despite not having Rivero on the floor in the crucial final moments, Tiu said he fully trusts his players especially Tio, who showed nerves of steel.
"I trust my players to make plays. Whoever's open, they have the freedom to shoot and create. And today, Tyler was able to hit the big shots, pero I thought Ricci really held the fort for us and found ways to make a lot of plays for our team," Tiu said.
"Ricci was great all game long. I think one of the better games I've seen from him, he wasn't really forcing shots. He was looking for the extra passes. And then I thought he defended pretty good today, actually," he explained.
Rivero gave credit to Tiu for trusting him to be in the driver's seat for the Fuel Masters in the game.
"Thank you kay Coach Charles for giving me, actually, the trust dun sa to hold the ball and take over and make the right plays. Specifically, not for me, but for the team. I was really giving plays for the import, especially I haven't played in like two, three weeks. So we're also trying to get him going," he said.
Former PBA Best Import Johnathan Williams came up big in his return for Phoenix, scoring 22 markers and 15 boards in his first game.
"I respect his professionalism. I told him, if he can't go, just let me know. But he wanted to battle out there for the team. You can see naman na winner talaga siya. I mean, that's why he's such a great import. That's why he was the best import," Tiu said of Williams.
"This is just one game for us. Imagine if we can get some time to integrate him to our team, I think that would be really big. But yeah, hats off to Johnathan Williams. He played excellent today," he added.
The win spoiled the double-double outing of TNT's Bol Bol who tallied 30 points and 20 boards, including the jumper that sent the game to overtime.
Phoenix improves to a 6-4 record to inch closer to securing a quarterfinals spot, while TNT has an identical 6-4 slate.
The Tropang 5G look to bounce back against the Magnolia Hotshots on Tuesday, while the Fuel Masters will next face the Macau Black Knights on Wednesday.
Both games will be held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.