Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Jason Perkins during a game vs Magnolia Hotshots within the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Phoenix needed to gut out a robust endgame to reign supreme over Magnolia, 98-86, within the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup at Ynares Sports Center in Montalban on Saturday night.
The Fuel Masters opened their Group B campaign with a win over the Hotshots, who saw import KJ Buffen limited by foul trouble.
“I feel we played significantly better within the second half,” said Coach Charles Tiu. “We’re not often called the very best defensive team but we found approach to get stops and I feel it helped that we got their import in foul trouble.”
“I give credit to the fellows because they woke up and played otherwise within the second half.”
Phoenix entered the fourth quarter with a slim 79-71 lead before opening the period with a 7-1 run to stretch its advantage to 86-72, a deficit Magnolia struggled to beat.
The Hotshots trimmed the result in nine late in the sport, 92-83, but Tyler Tio answered with a three-pointer on the 2:22 mark to maintain Phoenix comfortably ahead.