PBA: Phoenix survives late Magnolia rally to give Charles Tiu a winning debut

Phoenix held off a late Magnolia surge, 101-98, to give Charles Tiu his first win as head coach in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

The Fuel Masters led by as much as 13, 92-79, with about five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter before Magnolia mounted a 15-5 run to cut the deficit to three, 97-94, with 1:24 left.

Jason Perkins hit a split to stretch the lead, but Jerom Lastimosa answered with a layup, trimming it to 98-96 with 52 seconds remaining. Evan Nelle then sank a jumper, and JC Cullar converted a free throw off a Mark Barroca foul to seal the win, despite a late dunk from import Anunwa Omot.

James Dickey III led Phoenix with 20 points and 26 rebounds, adding five assists, a block, and a steal. Perkins scored 19, while Kai Ballungay and Ken Tuffin had 12 each. Nelle and Ricci Rivero chipped in 10 points apiece.

Omot paced Magnolia with 27 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a steal, while Zav Lucero and Lastimosa added 19 and 18 points, respectively.

Scores:

Phoenix 101 – Dickey 20, Perkins 19, Ballungay 12, Tuffin 12, Rivero 10, Nelle 10, Tio 7, Santos 6, Escandor 2, Cullar 3, Caperal 0.

Magnolia 98 – Omot 27, Lucero 19, Lastimosa 18, Sangalang 8, Gomez de Liano 8, Andrada 7, Dela Rosa 4, Lee 4, Barroca 3, Escoto 0.

Quarters: 27-23, 48-50, 79-72, 101-98.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News