Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

PBA: Phoenix defeats Magnolia for winning start to Govs' Cup

Article (news)

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783779403051PBA Image14 (2).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Phoenix import BJ Johnson in action. <em>PBA Images</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Phoenix is already at the win column of the PBA Season 50 Governors&#x27; Cup.</div><p>This, as the Fuel Masters defeated Magnolia, 98-86, to start their campaign with a win on Saturday evening at the Ynares Center Montalban.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/7/11/pba-blackwater-dominates-rain-or-shine-for-first-govs-cup-win-2122"><strong>READ: PBA: Blackwater dominates Rain or Shine for first Govs&#x27; Cup win</strong></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/7/10/pba-kevin-alas-relishes-reunion-with-coach-jimmy-alapag-2248"><strong>READ: PBA: Kevin Alas relishes reunion with coach Jimmy Alapag<br/></strong></a></div><p>They had to climb out of a 16-point deficit early, and had to fend off a Magnolia rally late to clinch the win. BJ Johnson delivered 34 points, while Jason Perkins added 23 markers.</p><p>Zav Lucero paced the losing crew with 20 points, as KJ Buffen was held to 15 markers in the loss.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The scores</strong></div><p><strong>Phoenix 98 --</strong> Johnson 34, Perkins 23, Tio 11, Tuffin 7, Balunggay 6, Santos 6, Rivero 6, Delos Santos 3, Chua 2, Cullar 0, Reavis 0.</p><p><strong>Magnolia 86 --</strong> Lucero 20, Buffen 15, Lastimosa 14, Sangalang 13, Lee 8, Barroca 4, Alfaro 3, Andrada 3, Gomez De Liano J. 2, Koon 2, Jopia 2, Dela Rosa 0.</p><p><strong>Quarterscores:</strong> 26-32, 49-53, 79-71, 98-86.</p>

<p>Phoenix is already at the win column of the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup.</p>