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Johnson fires 34 as Phoenix pulls rug from under Magnolia

Sports | Basketball

Johnson fires 34 as Phoenix pulls rug from under Magnolia

By Reynald I. Magallon

At A Glance

BJ Johnson exploded for 34 points as Phoenix pulled the rug from under Group B favorite Magnolia, 98-86, to kickstart its campaign in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup at the Ynares Center in Montalban on Saturday, July 11.

BJ Johnson exploded for 34 points as Phoenix pulled the rug from under Group B favorite Magnolia, 98-86, to kickstart its campaign in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Montalban on Saturday, July 11.

The Fuel Masters import spearheaded a strong middle quarters performance for his team, firing 26 of his total output to take control before the rest of his team did just enough to hold off repeated rallies from the Hotshots.

With the win, Phoenix joined fellow unlikely early leader Blackwater atop the Group B standings with 1-0 records. The Bossing earlier also pulled off a stunning upset of Rain or Shine, 131-108.

The Fuel Masters unloaded a backbreaking 10-1 rally in the final frame to take an 89-72 advantage before timely hits from Tyler Tio and Jason Perkins kept Magnolia, which last threatened when it cut the lead down to nine, 83–92, at bay.

Perkins provided ample support with 23 points while Tio finished with 11.

Zav Lucero paced Magnolia with 20 but import KJ Buffen hardly got into any rhythm with only 15 points to show after struggling with foul trouble.

Related Tags

Phoenix Fuel Masters Magnolia Hotshots PBA

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