THE PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals cast is now complete.

And it will be Phoenix Super LPG — not Meralco — which made it to the semifinal round against top seed Magnolia starting Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

Former Los Angeles Lakers mianstay Johnathan Williams III finished with a double-double of 21 points and 16 rebounds as Phoenix slammed the door on Meralco, 88-84, in their do-or-die encounter at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last Sunday.

Jason Perkins, RJ Jazul, ken Tuffin and Javee Mocon also stepped up big for the Fuel Masters, who finally ended three years of disappointments to make it to the semis against the Hotshots.

Perkins added anoher double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds, Jazul contributed 13 points and four rebounds, Tuffin had 10 points and Mocon had nine points, 11 rebounds and four assists for the Jamike Jarin-mentored Fuel Masters, who advanced to their first semis appearance since the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup under coach Louie Alas.

Against Magnolia, Phoenix is considered as the heavy underdog.

But Jarin is unfazed.

“Everybody’s expecting Magnolia to win. But it’s a series, so let’s see,” said Jarin.

“Nobody expected us to be in the semis. We got our hands full. The one who stays healthy is going to win the series. I hope both teams to be healthy so it’s going to be fair and beautiful come Wednesday,” he added.

Game 1 of the best-of-five series kicks off on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The scores:

Phoenix (88) — Williams 21, Perkins 19, Jazul 13, Tuffin 10, Mocon 9, Tio 6, Alejandro 4, Rivero 4, Garcia 2, Muyang 0, Manganti 0, Lalata 0, Daves 0, Verano 0, Camacho 0.
Meralco ( 84) — Newsome 15, Hodge 15, Maliksi 15, Miller 12, Quinto 11, Black 7, Banchero 7, Almazan 2, Rios 0, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 30-22, 55-43, 77-62, 88-84.

Games Wednesday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m.– Phoenix vs. Magnolia
8 p.m. — Ginebra vs. San Miguel

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya