The Phoenix Fuel Masters blew a 15‑point lead in the first half of their game against the Meralco Bolts—and it looked like the Bolts were ready to seize complete control.
But Phoenix regrouped at halftime, then did just enough in the second half to eke out a 98‑97 thriller thanks to Ken Tuffin’s game‑winning freebies. That second‑half recalibration, according to import BJ Johnson, is a credit to the Fuel Masters being able to take criticism openly.
“I think we got a good group of guys who accept criticism. Nobody takes it personal. At halftime, he [Charles Tiu] said what he needed to say and all our players responded from it,” Johnson told reporters after the game on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With back‑to‑back victories to open their PBA Governors’ Cup campaign, the Fuel Masters now sit atop the Group B standings.
A Game That Went Phoenix’s Way at the End
Johnson finished with 26 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in that Phoenix win. But the 30‑year‑old reinforcement admitted that nearly squandering a 15‑point lead after such a strong start is something the team cannot let happen again.
“We feel like we started executing well, focused, and we went up 15. [But] we kinda got a little relaxed, and at a professional level, we can’t do that,” Johnson pointed out.
The former Orlando Magic guard added that the game ultimately came down to making timely defensive stops and giving maximum effort in the closing possessions.
“All these teams are good. We let them [Meralco] get a couple of baskets, get some confidence, and it makes it harder for us,” he added. “Down the stretch in the fourth quarter, we locked in a little bit and a couple of calls went our way, a couple efforts went our way, and we pulled it out at the end.”
Johnson and the rest of the Fuel Masters will have to lock in again this coming Sunday, as they will be up for an acid test when they take on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
