It was deja vu for Phoenix Super LPG after being on the wrong end of another three-point play in the clutch in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup semis.
James Laput converted an and-one opportunity to tie things up at 76-all with 2:10 left to play, helping out in a crucial 10-0 run to wipe out a five-point deficit as Magnolia eventually took Game 2 by way of an 82-78 decision.
Paul Lee did cap off that big rally with a triple from near the logo but that play by the young big man was as painful for the Fuel Masters, for it was reminiscent of what happened in their best-of-5 curtain-raiser last Wednesday.
That night saw Tyler Bey complete a three-point play to break the 78-all tie with 1:27 left to play, and the Hotshots eventually walked away with the 82-79 win.
The 25-year-old import was once again involved in that same situation in Game 2. He was the one who set up Laput for the game-tying play.
All in all, it was a solid night for the La Salle product, who finished with seven points, three rebounds, a steal, and a block in 23 minutes as a starter.
But the fact that he was trusted enough by Coach Chito Victolero and Co. to be on the court in the closing minutes makes him all the more proud.
“It’s a privilege, man,” he said moments after the win at the Mall of Asia Arena. “I just came out there and gave all my energy that I could in the last four minutes.
“I knew the game was on the line, we were down about five with four minutes to go so I just gave my all, did what I needed to do, and good things happened.”
Good things did happen and Laput himself strongly believed that Magnolia had the game on lock when the crew pulled off a crucial stop with 1:22 left.
Phoenix was coming off a timeout and inbounded the ball along the sideline but Tyler Tio’s pass to Williams was timed and deflected by Laput, giving the possession back to the Hotshots that eventually ended with that Lee triple.
“Actually… I think it started from their inbound play, when I tipped the ball, when they tried to post it up onto Williams,” he recalled. “When that happened, I tipped it. I knew then and there we had it. I knew then and there.
“Everything followed from there. Everything was just playing with confidence at that point. It was a great comeback,” Laput added.
It was yet another impressive display of character for Magnolia and Laput offered that the rest of them may all have to show as much again, when the Hotshots try to go for the kill in Game 3 on Sunday also at the MoA Arena.
“I think it’s something where we can’t get too high. We just gotta stay humble, and hungry,” said the 6-foot-10 slotman from Perth.
“Go to tomorrow’s practice, watch the film, fix our mistakes, keep doing the good things that we’re doing, make it better, all in preparation for Game Three and for whatever it is to come in the future.”
