TOP seed Magnolia rode on the heroics of import Tyler Bey to escape with a thrilling 82-79 win over Phoenix Super LPG and draw first blood in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Bey completed a crucial three-point play off a pass by Paul Lee to shatter a tie at 78-all and give the Hotshots an 81-78 lead with 1:27 left in the opener of their best-of-five series.

Bay also added a free throw with 3.8 seconds remaining to seal the final count.

Jason Perkins of Phoenix had a chance to tie the score and send the game into overtime, but his desperation three-point shot missed the mark.

Despite another challenging night, Bey managed to contribute 23 points on 8-of-23 shooting and secured 10 rebounds in 43 minutes of play.

Bey had 12 points in the third quarter alone. Lee added 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Mark Barroca chipped in 10 points for coach Chito Victolero.

Calvin Abueva added nine points and five rebounds and Ian Sangalang and Aris Dionisio had eight points each.

Perkins, who was named as “Best Player of the Week” for the period of Jan. 17 to 21,led the Fuel Masters’ losing effort with 25 points on 8-of-15 shooting, and five rebounds in 34 minutes of play.

RJ Jazul contributed 13 points, while former Los Angeles Lakers player Johnathan Williams added a double-double of 11 points, on 4-of-11 shooting, 18 rebounds and seven assists in 45 minutes.

Javee Mocon also had 11 points and three rebounds for the Jamike Jarin-mentored Fuel Masters.

Game 2 of the best-of-five semifinal series is scheduled on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay with Magnolia gunning for a commanding 2-0 lead and Phoenix seeking to draw level.

The scores:

Magnolia (82) — Bey 23, Lee 11, Barroca 10, Abueva 9, Sangalang 8, Dionisio 8, Jalalon 7, Laput 6, Dela Rosa 0, Tratter 0, Mendoza 0.
Phoenix (79) — Perkins 25, Jazul 13, Mocon 11, Williams 11, Tio 6, Tuffin 5, Garcia 3, Manganti 3, Lalata 2, Verano 0, Rivero 0, Soyud 0, Alejandro 0, Daves 0, Camacho 0.
Quarterscores: 18-16, 38-41, 61-60, 82-79.

Games Friday:

(Mall of Asia Arena)
4 p.m. — San Miguel vs. Ginebra
8 p.m. — Magnolia vs. Phoenix

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya