SEEMINGLY dead after Magnolia zoomed to a 21-point second quarter lead, Phoenix import Johnathan Williams did everything in a furious third fourth quarter breakaway–scoring, rebounding, dishing off to his teammates, and even playing point center last night.
With the rest of the squad backing up Willians’ efforts, the Fuel Masters stunned the Hotshots 103-85 in Game 3 of their best-of-5 semifinals duel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Desperate to turn things around after it squandered a big edge, Magnolia’s pesky defenders Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon harassed Williams early in the fourth canto, but the lanky reinforcement found a way to bring down the ball and locate an open RJ Jazul who launched a three-pointer that found nothing but the bottom of the net. Swish.
Jazul’s triple that mad made it 85-71 with 8:34 left sent the Phoenix faithful in frenzy–including team owner Dennis Uy and his wife Cherry–who sat at courtside to support the Fuel Masters’ gutsy come-from-behind triumph that made up for a sorry 78-82 loss in Game 2 last Friday.
More importantly, Phoenix battled back and whittled the Hotshots’ lead in the race-to-3 series to 1-2, with the fourth tiff set on Wednesday.
While their backs are still against the ropes, Fuel Masters coach Jamike Jarin is convinced they can still hack it.
“Coming into the second half we just told ourselves that we weren’t having fun. We were just too tight and just letting Magnolia do the things it wanted it to. So, we buckled down on defense, moved the ball, and worked as a unit both defensively and offensively,” Jarin said. “We caught up, executed, and made some crucial baskets and we won the game after 48 minutes.
“The target was to get Game 3. We weren’t looking beyond Game 3. Now that Game 3 is done, we’re gonna prepare for Game 4. Definitely, coach Chito and Magnolia will come in strong in Game 4. So, we just have to rest our bodies and be ready for what they’re going to give,” he added.
Williams shone anew for Phoenix with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists, while Jazul boomed in three treys in the final stanza and chipped in 17 markers and three boards.
Sean Manganti gave the Fuel Masters a big lift with 14 points and seven caroms and the likes of Javee Mocon (14), rookie Kenneth Tuffin (14), and Jason Perkins (13) also made a good account of themselves.
Magnolia raced to a 47-26 advantage on a James Laput free throw with 5:26 to go in the second.
The Hotshots still held a 51-38 spread at the break but Phoenix grabbed a 71-67 cushion going into the fourth quarter.
Reinforcement Tyler Bey paced Magnolia with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Paul Lee added 17 markers.