Phoenix remains on top after exciting win against Magnolia

“GRITTY COMEBACK WIN. This is how you #FightToThePhoenix!” (Photo: Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters/Facebook)

Jason Perkins hit the heroic three-pointer for the Phoenix Pulse last Wednesday, March 6 as Phoenix held on to the number one spot and qualified for the quarterfinals after a comeback, 89-87 victory over Magnolia for the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

At one point in the game, the Fuel Masters trailed as much as 17 points, but Perkins secured the win at the last 30 seconds of the game with a shot beyond the arc and a free-throw. Calvin Abueva was the highest scorer of the night for the Fuelmasters, with a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds. RJ Jazul and Matthew Wright added to that with 19 points and 14 points respectively. For Magnolia, veterans Paul Lee and Mark Barroca both chipped two points each, but unfortunately, the hotshots still fell to 1-4 in the standings.

Pulse head coach Louie Alas said that “this is the kind of win the team wants, one with character,” stating in Filipino, “Easily, we could have folded. The amount of turnovers we had was unbelievable. As early as the first half, I think we had 20 turnovers. But in the end, we only had two or three.”

Filipino-Canadian Wright also shared his thoughts on believing that his team is “for real” as he reflects on the aftermath of their game, telling the media, “You just saw how we came back. The Phoenix of some years prior, we would have lost the game by 30. But we kept fighting.” He elaborated, “I feel like we’re making all the right moves .We came a long way since when I get drafted. We used to get killed,” concluding, “I feel like that psychological advantage that they had over us is over now. And we can just go out there and play ball.”

Phoenix, now standing 8-1, will try to maintain being at the top as they face the San Miguel Beermen at the Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Sports & Cultural Center in Davao on March 16. On the other hand, Magnolia’s next game is against the Alaska Aces on Saturday, March 9 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.