It’s the young guns facing off against the seasoned veterans as the much experienced Magnolia and the up-and-coming Phoenix dispute a 2-0 start in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Nov 12.
Young Phoenix tests mettle vs seasoned Magnolia
At a glance
It’s the young guns facing off against the seasoned veterans as the much experienced Magnolia and the up-and-coming Phoenix dispute a 2-0 start in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Nov 12.

Looking to make early strides to the conference, the Fuel Masters and the Hotshots lock horns in the main event of the double-header at 6:15 p.m.
One between the first game losers NorthPort and Rain or Shine, meanwhile, is sure to barge into the win column in the curtain raiser at 3 p.m.
Youth seemed to be the emerging weapon for Phoenix as its young core along with its rookies carried the cudgels in to complete a stunning comeback against NLEX, 113-101, in its opening game.
Jjay Alejandro was a revelation for the Fuel Masters, spearheading a 20-point turn around in the fourth quarter with five triples as Ricci Rivero, Ken Tuffin and young leader Tyler Tio also put up solid performances in the victory.
As thrilling as the come-from-behind win, Phoenix’s emerging talents are refusing to get too carried away by the win although they are looking to ride the momentum against the early favorites Hotshots.
“Focus lang kami ulit. Andun na ulit ilipat na namin yung focus namin right after the buzzer kasi yun yung usapan namin with the team,” said Rivero who dropped eight of his 15 points in the searing fourth quarter run.
Of course, the rookies are set to be tested against veteran-laden Hotshots with guys like Paul Lee, Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon leading the charge.
Coach Chito Victolero is also far from satisfied even after a rousing 110-102 victory over TNT in the first game.
“We need to be consistent especially in the first half, we were leading the game but there were times when we relaxed. That’s the time that they (TNT) rallied,” said Victolero.
A curious sidelight to the clash is the matchup of imports with Magnolia’s Tyler Bey exploding for 31 points and 20 rebounds while Phoenix’s Johnathan Williams had a rather silent but still efficient night of 26 points and 13 rebounds.