The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Magnolia Hotshots at 6:45 PM on November 14, 2020, live from the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Behind a stunning 22-0 run in the fourth quarter, the Fuel Masters won its elimination round encounter with the Hotshots, 91-84.
In Phoenix’s October 23 skirmish with Magnolia, Matthew Wright fired 23 points with seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals while Jason Perkins added 20 points and 12 boards.
It is worth noting that due to his indefinite suspension, “The Beast” Calvin Abueva did not suit up for the Fuel Masters at that time. And since his return, Abueva averages 13.67 points, 10.67 rebounds, and 6.67 assists per game.
With their four-game winning streak in the latter portion of the eliminations, the Topex Robinson-coached team gained one of the coveted twice-to-beat incentives heading into the playoffs.
Not only will the Fuel Masters rely on the heroics of Wright, Abueva, and Perkins, but also will bank on the solid performance of Justin Chua, RJ Jazul, Brian Heruela, and RR Garcia.
However, the second-seeded Phoenix (8-3) faces a different Magnolia team this time around.
The seventh-seeded Hotshots (7-4) is burning fiercely with a six-game winning streak heading into the playoffs. Playing with a sense of urgency and purpose, the Hotshots rolled past the Blackwater Elite, 95-80, to capture their seventh win in 11 games.
Ian Sangalang top all scorers with 17 markers that went with 10 boards. Chris Banchero (14), Mark Barroca (11), Aris Dionisio (12), and Jio Jalalon (8) also played adequately, forming a deadly second-group for the Hotshots.
Nonetheless, hungry to make up for their meltdown against the Fuel Masters, veteran player Paul Lee is expected to anchor the Chito Victolero-coached Magnolia in its quest to force a rubber match against Phoenix.