MANILA – Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters kept its season alive with a 103-85 victory over Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Johnathan Williams III led the way with a double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds to go with five assists and two blocks as the Fuel Masters trimmed their best-of-five semis series deficit to 1-2.
RJ Jazul added 17 markers, including five three-point conversions, Sean Manganti, Kenneth Tuffin and Javee Mocon added 14 markers apiece, while Jason Perkins contributed 13 points for Phoenix.
The Fuel Masters started flat in the opening quarter as they trail 17-31 and later 19-40 in the second period before they slowly clawed their way back to cut the deficit to 38-51 at the half.
Phoenix continued their uprising to start the third quarter behind Williams and Manganti to tie the score at 54-all before surging ahead at 64-60 behind connections from Jazul and Mocon.
The Fuel Masters went on to widen the lead to 69-62 with baskets from Mocon and Williams, but the Hotshots responded with connections from Paul Lee to cut the deficit to 67-71.
Phoenix kicked off the final quarter with three straight outside connections from Jazul to establish an 85-71 lead, Magnolia still threatened the claw back after back-to-back hits from Calvin Abueva.
The Fuel Masters, however, made sure they will not suffer the same melt down in Games 1 and 2 as they went on a massive finishing run behind Perkins and Manganti for a 103-85 lead.
Tyler Bey finished with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds, Lee added 17 markers, while Abueva and Ian Sangalang had 14 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Hotshots.
The Hotshots will still have a chance to finish off the Fuel Masters in Game 4 of the semifinal series at 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening still at the MOA Arena./PN
BOX SCORE:
PHOENIX 103 – Williams 19, Jazul 17, Manganti 14, Tuffin 14, Mocon 14, Perkins 13, Rivero 6, Tio 4, Verano 2, Muyang 0, Lalata 0, Garcia 0, Alejandro 0, Camacho 0.
MAGNOLIA 85 – Bey 18, Lee 17, Abueva 14, Sangalang 10, Barroca 7, Ahanmisi 6, Reavis 4, Jalalon 4, Dela Rosa 2, Dionisio 2, Mendoza 0, Tratter 0, Eriobu 0.
Quarterscores: 17-31, 38-51, 71-67, 103-85.
