Phoenix ends Magnolia’s dominant streak to enter PBA semifinals

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

The Phoenix Super LPG Fuelmasters looked like a team on a mission and put on a performance for the ages against the Magnolia Hotshots.

Facing the surging Hotshots who are on a six-game winning streak, the Fuelmasters banked on their superstar Matthew Wright to deliver and eventually sent the Hotshots home with his game-winning three, 89-88.

The Fuelmasters entered the quarterfinals with a twice-to-beat advantage against Magnolia and as soon as Wright hit his first shot, the deadly sniper haunted Paul Lee and the Hotshots defense with his superb offensive artillery.

Trailing early in the first, the Fuelmasters looked like they were about to be run over by the veteran and more experienced Magnolia squad after Justin Melton hit a couple of threes while Ian Sangalang had a good time operating in the post against the defense of Jason Perkins and Justin Chua.

However, coach Robinson deployed the necessary adjustments that became a spark for their offense after Brian Heruela and Matthew Wright provided the scoring punch.

Having the hot-hands after his lone scoring rally, Sangalang again delivered in the clutch after converting his fade away from the right baseline that gave them the lead, 88-86.

Just when Magnolia thought they already had the grip on the game, Wright immediately sensed blood.

Handling the ball with 12 seconds left, Wright crossed-over Mark Barroca and launched from long-distance that kissed the net for the lead with 9.3 seconds left, 89-88.

Magnolia turned into their superstar Lee to manufacture a shot but his step back from the left elbow missed.

With the victory, the Fuelmasters setup a highly-anticipated semifinals match against the TNT Tropang Giga.