For the first time in 11 tries, the Fuel Masters beat the Hotshots and Phoenix stays alive in the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals.
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00:00 Now the most important thing here for Phoenix is really all about survival.
00:05 That's the thing that you need guys like Jason Perkins and even the rest of the team.
00:11 And on the other end here, you take a look at Magnolia.
00:14 They experimented with a very big three big man move in gate number two.
00:19 Number two, Sean Manganti.
00:23 At center is the Fuel Masters import number 10, Jonathan Williams.
00:29 City number 42, James Lathood.
00:33 Head guard from Cagayan de Oro, number 6, Gio Alnaro.
00:38 [MUSIC]
00:40 Well the Magic Ball of Asia Arena where Magnolia was trailing by five,
00:45 but now only trails by two after Tyler Bay hits another three pointer here.
00:49 I think there's a lot of advantages that Tuffin can provide,
00:52 especially with his sheer size playing that point guard position.
00:56 Paul Lee hits another three pointer here for Magnolia.
01:00 I think Phoenix will be able to match up against Magnolia,
01:04 not until that Magnolia defense is--
01:08 Well at least early on, early returns here. It's been a good shooting day.
01:12 Oh, Paul Lee gets a three and one.
01:15 RJ Azul says that there was a kick out in back to back threes.
01:19 And they will be using Paul Lee more.
01:22 Now what happens is can Paul or any of the Magnolia players sustain?
01:27 Even Tyler Bay.
01:29 Paul Lee.
01:30 That's Pat Manganti with a nice side dribble.
01:33 Paul Lee in his bag, but that time goes straight to Tuffin.
01:36 Pushing the pace here, RJ Azul.
01:39 Cut from a three.
01:41 They have so many schemes. Gio Jalalon going inside, finding Raffi Revis.
01:46 The rare shot here from Raffi Revis.
01:49 Those are big, big contributions.
01:52 Now to Mark Barroja.
01:54 Waiting for the pick there from Lavo, trying to shrug off Manganti.
01:57 He has a bit of space in the floater.
01:59 It's pure.
02:00 He is another, I would say, pain.
02:04 He is definitely going to be a pain for Phoenix.
02:07 Mark Barroja is always a big time player, always rise to the occasion.
02:11 And the hard part is he plays it well for offensive control.
02:14 Perkins can get a turnaround jump for the fall.
02:17 More has slowed down here for Phoenix.
02:19 Magnoli trying to push the pace again.
02:21 17-11. Gio Jalalon finding his way inside.
02:25 That's a top roll.
02:27 They have a lot of speed going into that backcourt.
02:32 And even some of their threes have been really quick.
02:35 But then, Paolo, look at this right here.
02:38 He was erased.
02:41 Rahan Meese now feeding Tyler Bay inside.
02:44 A mismatch there with Mokwon.
02:47 Oh, wow.
02:50 The last second, he still gave it to his teammate right there.
02:54 Again, that connection has been there since their match.
02:57 You're always going to be worried that Magnolia will be able to steal it.
03:03 Gets the high high floater the goal.
03:06 For Phoenix, as we take a look at this high looping shot from Ian Sangalang.
03:11 Phoenix would really have to shore up on the offense.
03:15 They need that offense to go or else it's going to be low scoring
03:18 and very hard for them to put in the points.
03:21 Ritchie Rivero with the steal and the finish.
03:23 Let's take a look at this again.
03:25 The steal from Ritchie Rivero.
03:28 And giving Magnolia a taste of their own medicine.
03:31 A quick back.
03:36 Tyler Bay, he has great eyes.
03:38 And he found another assist, courtesy of Ian Sangalang.
03:41 How can Phoenix try and contain this Magnolia team who is firing all cylinders.
03:46 But also fires in.
03:49 This is going to be a big problem because right now,
03:53 when you look at the way Magnolia has really been scoring here,
03:56 Phoenix is just like being, every time there's a quickness advantage
04:01 for whoever matches up against who between Phoenix and Magnolia.
04:06 So if it's a backboard, the backboard gets beaten off,
04:09 they can roll, then that's going to be a problem because they score.
04:12 Majority of the points and all the breakdown here is coming from penetration
04:17 and easy passes off the ball.
04:21 On easy, joins in the party, gets a three of his own.
04:24 Welcome back to the Ball of Asia Arena.
04:26 31-17 is the count going into this one.
04:29 It has been another great quarter for Magnolia.
04:32 And what a finish there from Richie Rivera to get them going here in Samba Phoenix.
04:36 Much hullabaloo this Phoenix team causes in terms of their defense
04:41 or changing switching defenses, but then,
04:43 the standard of Magnolia so far is different.
04:45 Yes, I mean, the pressure defense alone on the backboard
04:49 and Tyler May, of course, really being a perfect--
04:52 So Phoenix really crumbling here on the offensive end,
04:55 and Magnolia finding so many ways to score here.
04:59 Even that look, it looked like that had no reason.
05:02 But after that, Magnolia just collapses so fast.
05:05 The extra pass, second, third extra pass definitely helped.
05:09 And he drains another three-pointer for Magnolia.
05:13 Norman, you know, all the sharing and all the learnings really came,
05:18 and that's why Coach Jemimah is really doing a great job.
05:22 Bump it, gets another three to fall.
05:24 It feels like it's little interaction.
05:27 Gio Alalo finds a way to save it.
05:29 Tyler Bay this time going inside, avoiding two teal shirts,
05:33 and gets the soft touch.
05:34 The key is really to try your best.
05:36 I think Tyler Bay would have not made that shot.
05:40 Garcia attacking Paul Lee.
05:42 That's his normal look, though.
05:47 Gio Alalo, Paul Lee from the logo again, and that is money.
05:53 He's been practicing that shot, Paolo,
05:55 so it doesn't really surprise you because in social media,
05:58 he's been posting a lot of those training sessions that he had,
06:01 and he's been really hitting it from the parking lot,
06:04 even with the car closed.
06:06 It's hard to watch.
06:07 There's a soundproof, right?
06:08 He's putting a window.
06:10 Paul Lee is that good at passing through the window.
06:13 20-point lead here for Magnolia.
06:16 And take a look at Paul Lee.
06:18 It feels like his spot is forever.
06:20 But then now that he has earned the confidence of Coach Chito
06:26 Vicalero, it feels like now they have another great rotational
06:30 piece here that they could --
06:32 You know, Coach Chito saw the openings that Phoenix was really
06:36 giving up the rest of the game.
06:38 Another turnover here for Magnolia, back-to-back turnovers.
06:40 And Rafael Rodriguez runs down the lane as if he were the --
06:48 Johnson-Williams trying to make something out of nothing.
06:51 And finally, with 1.15 left here in the second half --
06:55 second quarter, rather, he gets his first field goal.
06:58 So, he had to make this mistake.
07:01 He already got it blocked in.
07:03 But that additional space that he allowed just gave that wide
07:08 open to Williams.
07:09 Paul Lee.
07:11 Quick dribble, no good.
07:12 He had to get out of the first of the ball.
07:14 They cannot -- you know, Phoenix cannot get out hustled at this
07:19 stage.
07:22 Johnson-Williams.
07:23 JV.
07:26 Mofon finding Williams again.
07:28 Mofon, left open, pulls up for three.
07:34 First possession here goes to the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
07:37 who trim the lead down here to 51-38 as it is an end-win
07:41 opportunity here for Johnson-Williams.
07:43 What's the story here for Phoenix?
07:45 Well, right now, this is a very aggressive move of
07:48 Johnson-Williams.
07:49 He's got to do a lot more of that.
07:52 You know, coach Chito Victorero, Tuffin practices like the way
07:57 the locals like Calvin Abueva practices every time.
08:01 Tuffin gets a big three to trim the lead down.
08:04 But because, you know, Magnolia just devised a brilliant game
08:07 plan on defense, it's making him think or even hesitate on
08:10 driving harder to the basket.
08:12 That's a great drive there from Tyler Bay.
08:16 You got to really just give it, you know, the intent.
08:20 Baldy right in front of him.
08:22 Getting a bit of movement here.
08:23 Perkins has it.
08:24 Perkins trying to speed inside.
08:25 Oh!
08:27 Seeing a lot of--you were seeing a difference, Jonathan Williams.
08:30 Raffy Rivas, who's seen a lot of extended minutes here for
08:33 coach Chito Victorero, a turnover here, miscue from Bay and
08:35 Rivas.
08:36 Johnson-Williams will attack the veteran going inside and
08:39 getting through the fall.
08:41 He's fired up.
08:42 He can sustain that, gaining just a good chance in this game.
08:46 Well, this best move of the game is brought to you by Honda,
08:49 the official motorcycle of the PBA.
08:51 His name is Jonathan Williams.
08:53 To Gio Halalon, RJ Azul in front of him.
08:55 They get the switch here.
08:56 Halalon attacking, finding Calvin Abueva.
08:58 A beautiful play there.
09:00 Brilliant play there by the guards of Magnolia.
09:04 Four-point lead here for Magnolia.
09:07 They were all tied up at 54-all for a run for the Hotshots.
09:14 Monanti.
09:17 The floater from the free throw line.
09:20 Kenneth Tuffin working on Gio Halalon gets away, and that is a
09:24 good steal there from Calvin Abueva.
09:27 Gio Halalon running the floor.
09:28 Gio with an easy two.
09:31 [MUSIC]
09:38 57% of the free throw line with the amount of touches that you
09:41 had, that's definitely going to be in the favor of Magnolia.
09:45 RJ Azul gets the lead to Phoenix.
09:48 He wasn't like on ball, on an isolation, or a picker,
09:52 or rather a post game.
09:54 J.B. Mocon with the jumper.
09:57 J.B. Mocon starting up the party once again for Phoenix with his
10:01 turnaround J in front of Paul Lee.
10:03 Well, they need to exploit other members of that team, and it
10:06 cannot always be Jonathan Williams or even Kenneth Tuffin.
10:09 Other players like Mocon and the rest of the guys would have to
10:12 make.
10:13 Paul Lee working inside.
10:15 In and out to Gio Halalon.
10:16 Short shot block here.
10:18 Gio to Paul Lee to save the possession.
10:21 Paul Lee with a free.
10:23 That was big.
10:24 That was big.
10:26 Phoenix played wonderful defense, but at the last second,
10:30 Paul Lee with his magical three.
10:32 It felt like they played good defense for 23.4 seconds, but it
10:36 was at .6 that was the biggest difference maker.
10:39 Kenneth Tuffin going inside, attacking Laput.
10:45 Jonathan Williams gets that ball.
10:48 You know what's nice about the story so far of the game.
10:52 Going inside, Tyler Bay getting to win once more.
10:57 Good start here for Magnolia.
10:59 Verano found a way to save that possession.
11:02 Jonathan Williams now facing a double team.
11:05 Pulls up for the shot and not at the ball.
11:07 That was big.
11:08 That was big.
11:09 I mean, shot clock record.
11:10 Back to Halalon up top.
11:11 Playing switching defense here.
11:13 Almost lost possession there.
11:14 Halalon free for a second.
11:16 Unable to get that to Paul.
11:18 RJ Azul feeding J.B. Mocon who has a bit of an open lane.
11:21 Attacking Laput.
11:22 Was for two.
11:24 That's big.
11:25 Magnolia playing great defense.
11:28 And the way the guards of Magnolia has been exploding.
11:32 Rafi Verano in front of them.
11:34 What can Paul Lee do here?
11:35 Waiting for the fake.
11:36 Goes to the side.
11:37 Long two.
11:38 That's it.
11:39 That screen has been so big.
11:41 And it only takes one brush of that defender to get Paul open.
11:46 James Laput again.
11:48 Once he sets a screen, that's a very easy screen assist that could happen.
11:53 J.B. Mocon, great fake.
11:56 Jonathan Williams babied that shot a bit.
11:58 But Verano keeps the possession alive.
12:00 Six seconds on the shot clock to play with.
12:01 RJ Azul.
12:02 Yes!
12:03 That's big.
12:04 That's big.
12:05 The team needs it most.
12:06 On one side of the court.
12:11 RJ Azul.
12:13 He'll pull up the three again.
12:14 And RJ Azul is on fire!
12:17 To the other, RJ Azul getting six points in quick order.
12:22 But they pulled up a reverse sweep and won that series.
12:25 And that is exactly the energy, the inspiration, the purpose being here as they attack to pull up the safety.
12:31 Back to you guys.
12:32 This opportunity there for Phoenix.
12:33 But they still lead 85-71.
12:35 We've seen a comeback from Phoenix in the third quarter.
12:38 Let's see whether or not Magnolia can do something similar here in the fourth.
12:43 Calvino Cueva gets a much needed two-pointer.
12:47 This is the big.
12:48 Perkins, eight seconds on the shot clock.
12:50 They find Jonathan Williams in third.
12:52 Great find inside and an end one.
12:55 Around three passes before giving it to Williams and thus the score of that.
13:01 I think this Magnolia team will literally just keep rolling back.
13:04 Perkins, that's Calvino Cueva going inside, getting the bucket and one.
13:09 These are minutes you have to win.
13:13 Yes, and it's not only that.
13:15 Coach, he falls into the category of you'd love to have as a teammate, you hate as an opponent.
13:21 Oh, definitely.
13:22 And there he is attacking a former teammate, Calvino Cueva getting two and an end one opportunity.
13:29 This is really dangerous.
13:30 You don't want Calvin to get involved and to energize his Magnolia team again.
13:34 It's so hard to close out games.
13:36 Closeout games are the hardest games to win and I think we're seeing that here in particular.
13:40 As Jonathan Williams in third goes in for the slam.
13:44 Yes, it's very true.
13:45 The hardest thing even in the finals is like closing out games.
13:49 It really takes a lot of effort, a lot of composure, voice, you know, in situations like this.
13:56 Gio Lado can't get the three to fall.
13:58 Offensive rebound from Tyler Bay and makes something out of nothing.
14:03 Tuffet.
14:04 Finding a way to keep the dribble alive and gets the jumper to fall.
14:11 What about Kenneth Tuffet in this game?
14:13 2.30 left here in the fourth quarter.
14:15 Chamangandi, pull up in the corner.
14:20 Those are big, big shots.
14:23 Xavier and the three-point shot has been a big weapon for Phoenix this entire game.
14:28 99-83 experience moving forward as well.
14:31 Yes, you know, the experience definitely helps out a lot because we have a lot of these guys
14:36 who are very young.
14:37 Tyler is one of them.
14:38 Well, this young Phoenix side is just a few seconds away from claiming their first ever
14:44 semifinals win against highly touted giants of Magnolia.
14:49 103-85 is the final score here in the Mall of Asia Arena.
14:53 And Coach Jemai Carrillo ensures there is another game.