Matthew Wright nailed the game-winning triple with three seconds left to help the Phoenix Fuel Masters turn around the debuting Magnolia Hotshots, 89-87, Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Filipino-Canadian swished in his step-back trey all over Rafi Reavis, to complete Phoenix’s comeback from 16 points down and improve their card to 2-1 in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup. Not only that, it ended Phoenix’s curse over their tormentors, whom they last defeated back in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.
Wright finished with 19 points — the final one coming off a technical freebie, as the Hotshots were whistled for an excessive timeout — along with eight assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
“Deja vu kay Matthew Wright sa game against TNT last conference. Down by two, Matthew Wright three points,” reflected Phoenix head coach Louie Alas. “It’s a good win.”
Import James White made his presence felt in the win with 19 points and 17 rebounds. Veteran forward Willie Wilson was a rebound shy of a double-double, as he made 17 points and nine boards.
Wilson and White were the ones who brought Phoenix back to life in the fourth, joining hands to lead their team to a 10-0 run to give the Fuel Masters an 85-84 lead with two minutes to go.
The loss not only spoiled the debut of Magnolia, but also the PBA return of Vernon Macklin. The former Ginebra import led the Hotshots with 25 points on top of 17 caroms and three dimes.
Paul Lee had 20 points and three assists — one of his feeds came in the third quarter, where his bullet pass to a streaking Jio Jalalon led to a lay-up and sent Magnolia to a 62-46 lead.
Big men Ian Sangalang and Rome Dela Rosa had 12 and 10 markers, respectively, for the now 0-1 Magnolia.
Phoenix will look to win again versus the NLEX Road Warriors on Friday, May 11, 4:30 PM in Biñan, Laguna, while Magnolia will aim to bounce back versus the GlobalPort Batang Pier on Saturday, May 12 in Angeles, Pampanga.
The Scores:
Phoenix 89 — White 19, Wright 19, Wilson 17, Perkins 16, Chan 6, Jazul 4, Chua 3, Intal 2, Kramer 2, Revilla 1, Alolino 0, Mendoza 0.
Magnolia 87 — Macklin 25, Lee 20, Sangalang 12, Dela Rosa 10, Herndon 6, Jalalon 6, Barroca 5, Simon 2, Brondial 1, Gamalinda 0, Ramos 0, Reavis 0.
Quarterscores: 17-24, 45-35, 63-70, 89-87.
