Johnson fuels Phoenix rally as Fuel Masters shock Magnolia in Governors' Cup opener

Phoenix stormed back from a 16-point first-half deficit to defeat Magnolia, 98-86, and kick off its Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors' Cup campaign with an impressive victory on Saturday night at Ynares Center II in Montalban.

After a sluggish offensive start, the Fuel Masters came alive after halftime, tightening their defense and finding their rhythm on offense to seize control in the third quarter before pulling away for good in the fourth.

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

Phoenix took command early in the final period when Bryan Santos knocked down a three-pointer to extend the lead to 86-71 with just over nine minutes remaining.

The Hotshots threatened to rally behind Jerom Lastimosa, cutting the deficit to single digits, but Tyler Tio answered with a timely three-pointer to push the Fuel Masters back ahead by 12, 95-83, with 2:22 left.

Jason Perkins followed with a strong driving layup before Ricci Rivero split two free throws in the closing seconds to seal the comeback victory.

Tiu credited his players for their resilience after the break.

"Give credit to the guys. They came out with a different mindset in the second half and played much better," he said.

Import BJ Johnson spearheaded the turnaround with a game-high 34 points, scoring 26 of them across the second and third quarters. Perkins added 23 points, including 14 in the opening period to keep Phoenix within striking distance, while Tio finished with 11 points, nine of which came after halftime.

The victory moved the Fuel Masters into a share of the early Group B lead with Blackwater at 1-0. Phoenix will look to stay unbeaten when it faces Meralco on July 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Zav Lucero led Magnolia with 20 points, while import KJ Buffen was held to 15 after foul trouble disrupted his rhythm. Ian Sangalang and Jerom Lastimosa contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively, as the Hotshots dropped their conference opener.

Despite the defeat, Sangalang reached a career milestone by becoming the 104th player in PBA history to score 5,000 career points. According to league statistician Fidel Mangonon III, the veteran big man achieved the feat on a basket with 8:51 remaining in the first quarter.

Magnolia will try to rebound when it takes on Blackwater on July 17 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.