PBA: Phoenix flips switch in second half to beat Magnolia

Phoenix turned things around in the second half to complete a 98-86 win over Magnolia and open its PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup campaign on a winning note on Saturday at the Ynares Montalban.

The Fuel Masters overcame a slow start then torched the Hotshots in the last two quarters to go 1-0 in Group B.

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Phoenix got a solid PBA debut from its import BJ Johnson, who erupted for 34 points and 10 rebounds, while its local crew also made huge impact with Jason Perkins finishing with 23 points and Tyler Tio posting 11 markers.

"We played much better in the second half. We responded, we defended better. We're not known as the best defensive team but we found a way to win and to get some stops," Phoenix head coach Charles Tiu said.

"We got their import into foul trouble, but credit the guys, they woke up and played differently in the second half."

Trailing by four at halftime, Phoenix came out firing in the third quarter, pouring in 30 points behind 11 from Johnson to turn the tables and take a 79-71 lead entering the final period.

Magnolia, though, mounted a desperate run late in the fourth period behind Zav Lucero, whose six straight points cut their deficit to 10, 91-81, in the last 4:36. The Hotshots had a chance to cut the deficit even further, but Chris Koon and import KJ Buffen misfired on separate wide-open three-point attempts.

Tio shot a massive three-pointer over the outstretched arms of Rome Dela Rosa to give Phoenix a 95-83 cushion before Perkins buried a difficult floater to seal it for the Fuel Masters.

"All the teams are tough so I think we just want to come out strong, make a statement early," Johnson said.

"The game was tough, they fought the whole game, whether they were down, made a run, or we made run. Down the stretch, we just kind of locked in and got the win."

—JMB, GMA News