Here are the live scores, updates, and results of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup between the TNT Tropang Giga and the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, scheduled on November 18, 2020, at 3:45 PM.
The rank no. 2 Fuel Masters, boasting an impressive quarterfinals performance against the seventh-seeded Magnolia Hotshots, will aim to draw first blood against the equally impressive TNT Tropang Giga.
Lifting Pheonix was Matthew Wright, who contributed 32 points to catapult his team in the PBA bubbles’ semifinals with an 89-88 win over Magnolia. Lending a hand was Jason Perkins, who chipped in 17 points. He capped with a jumper that pegged the ninth and last deadlock at 86-all.
The third-rank Tropang Giga, on the other hand, dispatched the rank six-seeded Alaska Aces, 104-83, to advance to the PBA bubble’s best-of-five semifinals.
RR Pogoy fired away 34 markers to lead the way as TNT rolled to the next round. Pogoy unleashed a 6-of-10 three-points in his 34-point game, laced with eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Providing the early firepower for Tropang Giga was the sophomore wingman Bobby Ray Parks who finished with 20 markers, five boards, and five dole-outs.
Despite playing limited minutes due to a calf issue, Jayson Castro helped out with eight points and five rebounds. Poy Erram also chipped in 11 rebounds and nine markers, while Troy Rosario contributed 10 points.
Wright, the leader in the Statistical Points race, said the team would need to be on its toes to beat TNT and advance to the franchise’s first finals appearance in the pro circuit.
“They really have a lot of weapons. You have to pick your poison,” Wright said, who reiterated that the Fuel Masters are expecting a hard time to deal were Castro, Pogoy, and Parks.
“We have to reel in Jayson because he’s like the catalyst. He’s the one that puts them in good spots to succeed,” added Wright.
Meanwhile, TNT head coach Bong Ravena acknowledged that Phoenix was rejuvenated with Abueva’s return.
“Their [Phoenix] energy is really unbelievable now after Abueva’s return. We have to match Phoenix’s intensity and energy—that’s the key. But we have to look also with their other players like Matthew Wright and not only on Abueva,” Ravena said.