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PBA: Wright saves the day for Phoenix against TNT
PBA: Wright saves the day for Phoenix against TNT
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 13, 2022 06:24 PM PHT
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Updated Feb 13, 2022 08:27 PM PHT
MANILA (UPDATED) - Matthew Wright capped a superb performance by hitting the game-winning layup, and the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters pulled off a 93-92 triumph against the TNT Tropang GIGA in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday.
MANILA (UPDATED) - Matthew Wright capped a superb performance by hitting the game-winning layup, and the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters pulled off a 93-92 triumph against the TNT Tropang GIGA in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday.
Wright led all scorers with 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting, while dishing out 10 assists and notching three steals. His final field goal was the most crucial of the game, as he poached the ball off TNT veteran Jayson Castro then zoomed to the other end for the go-ahead bucket.
Wright led all scorers with 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting, while dishing out 10 assists and notching three steals. His final field goal was the most crucial of the game, as he poached the ball off TNT veteran Jayson Castro then zoomed to the other end for the go-ahead bucket.
New Phoenix Super LPG import Dominique Sutto had 13 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and a block in his debut, playing 37 minutes. RJ Jazul came off the bench for 16 points.
New Phoenix Super LPG import Dominique Sutto had 13 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and a block in his debut, playing 37 minutes. RJ Jazul came off the bench for 16 points.
It was a morale-boosting win for the Fuel Masters, who endured an eventful break that saw them lose veteran point guard Chris Banchero to free agency as well as their original import, Paul Harris, to injury. But behind Wright's game-long brilliance, they hacked out a slim win against the Tropang GIGA to improve to 4-2 in the conference.
It was a morale-boosting win for the Fuel Masters, who endured an eventful break that saw them lose veteran point guard Chris Banchero to free agency as well as their original import, Paul Harris, to injury. But behind Wright's game-long brilliance, they hacked out a slim win against the Tropang GIGA to improve to 4-2 in the conference.
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"I guess we just took advantage of the time we had to prepare," Phoenix Super LPG coach Topex Robinson said after the game. "Between our last game on Christmas Day, and then our game today, there were a lot of things that happened in our team."
"I guess we just took advantage of the time we had to prepare," Phoenix Super LPG coach Topex Robinson said after the game. "Between our last game on Christmas Day, and then our game today, there were a lot of things that happened in our team."
"But we just stayed on the course, we focused on the things that we need to focus on. And we just played our hearts out and played against, again, a strong team like Talk 'N Text," he added.
"But we just stayed on the course, we focused on the things that we need to focus on. And we just played our hearts out and played against, again, a strong team like Talk 'N Text," he added.
The Fuel Masters got off to a quick start and led 12-2 early on, before Gab Banal's three-point shooting allowed TNT to get back in the contest.
The Fuel Masters got off to a quick start and led 12-2 early on, before Gab Banal's three-point shooting allowed TNT to get back in the contest.
The Tropang GIGA looked as though they would break the game open in the fourth period thanks to Mikey Williams, who scored 13 of his team-high 22 points in the frame. His three-pointer with five minutes left made it 88-81.
The Tropang GIGA looked as though they would break the game open in the fourth period thanks to Mikey Williams, who scored 13 of his team-high 22 points in the frame. His three-pointer with five minutes left made it 88-81.
TNT still led by six, 90-84, with 3:22 left off a Castro jumper, but a layup by Wright and a three-point play by Sutton made it a one-point game, 90-89, with 2:20 to go. It was Williams who responded again for TNT, converting a difficult layup to push their lead to three points, 92-89, with 2:02 left.
TNT still led by six, 90-84, with 3:22 left off a Castro jumper, but a layup by Wright and a three-point play by Sutton made it a one-point game, 90-89, with 2:20 to go. It was Williams who responded again for TNT, converting a difficult layup to push their lead to three points, 92-89, with 2:02 left.
Sean Manganti and Wright missed three-pointers in Phoenix's next possession, but Sutton was able to fish for a foul after grabbing the offensive board. Unfortunately for the Fuel Masters, the import bricked both of his charities with just 64 seconds to go.
Sean Manganti and Wright missed three-pointers in Phoenix's next possession, but Sutton was able to fish for a foul after grabbing the offensive board. Unfortunately for the Fuel Masters, the import bricked both of his charities with just 64 seconds to go.
But Phoenix's defense held firm in the final minute of the game. They forced TNT into a 24-second violation, and Wright found Jason Perkins for a layup that made it a one-point game, 92-91, with 27 seconds left.
But Phoenix's defense held firm in the final minute of the game. They forced TNT into a 24-second violation, and Wright found Jason Perkins for a layup that made it a one-point game, 92-91, with 27 seconds left.
The Tropang GIGA had possession with 27 seconds to go, but the Fuel Masters forced a turnover on Castro to set-up Wright's game-winner. TNT still had one last chance to snatch the win, but Troy Rosario's attempt off an inbound pass by Banal was blocked by Perkins.
The Tropang GIGA had possession with 27 seconds to go, but the Fuel Masters forced a turnover on Castro to set-up Wright's game-winner. TNT still had one last chance to snatch the win, but Troy Rosario's attempt off an inbound pass by Banal was blocked by Perkins.
"We just focused on the next play. Mikey made big shots after big shots, and we just focused on the next possession that we have, and we really made sure that every opportunity that we have, offensively, we'll make the most out of it," Robinson said of their mindset in crunch time.
"We just focused on the next play. Mikey made big shots after big shots, and we just focused on the next possession that we have, and we really made sure that every opportunity that we have, offensively, we'll make the most out of it," Robinson said of their mindset in crunch time.
TNT import Aaron Fuller struggled, putting up 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting, though he did have 23 rebounds. Castro and Rosario each had 11 points.
TNT import Aaron Fuller struggled, putting up 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting, though he did have 23 rebounds. Castro and Rosario each had 11 points.
The Tropang GIGA played without Roger Pogoy (calf) and Poy Erram (back).
The Tropang GIGA played without Roger Pogoy (calf) and Poy Erram (back).
Phoenix Super LPG improved to 4-2 in the conference, tied with the NLEX Road Warriors for a share of fourth place. TNT, meanwhile, dropped to 2-4.
Phoenix Super LPG improved to 4-2 in the conference, tied with the NLEX Road Warriors for a share of fourth place. TNT, meanwhile, dropped to 2-4.
The Scores:
PHOENIX 93 - Wright 27, Jazul 16, Sutton 13, Perkins 12, Manganti 10, Pascual 4, Chua 3, Garcia 2, Melecio 2, Rios 2, Robles 2, Demusis 0, Camacho 0.
PHOENIX 93 - Wright 27, Jazul 16, Sutton 13, Perkins 12, Manganti 10, Pascual 4, Chua 3, Garcia 2, Melecio 2, Rios 2, Robles 2, Demusis 0, Camacho 0.
TNT 92 - M. Williams 22, Banal 18, Castro 11, Rosario 11, Fuller 11, Montalbo 9, K. Williams 6, Alejandro 4, Khobuntin 0, Heruela 0, Marcelo 0.
TNT 92 - M. Williams 22, Banal 18, Castro 11, Rosario 11, Fuller 11, Montalbo 9, K. Williams 6, Alejandro 4, Khobuntin 0, Heruela 0, Marcelo 0.
Quarters: 21-15, 44-41, 72-70, 93-92.
Quarters: 21-15, 44-41, 72-70, 93-92.
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