(PBA image)
Phoenix Super LPG opened a new chapter in style, leaning on the all-around brilliance of import James Dickey III to hand coach Charles Tiu a winning debut in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
Dickey was far more than a numbers machine in his first PBA appearance. He became the steady force that kept the Fuel Masters composed in the biggest moments, finishing with a massive 20-point, 26-rebound double-double in Phoenix’s hard-earned 101-98 victory over Magnolia on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
More than the statistics, Dickey’s value showed in the way he rallied his teammates, huddled them in tense stretches, and brought order to a team trying to establish its identity under a new coach. His final line also included five assists, one block, and one steal in nearly 40 minutes of action, a debut that immediately stamped him as the anchor of Phoenix’s early campaign.
“I’m super excited and I’m happy to get the win in my first game,” said Dickey, who also plays alongside Justin Brownlee in the Indonesian basketball league.
The UNC Greensboro product arrived in the PBA already aware of the league’s reputation, and he wasted no time embracing the grind and physicality of Philippine basketball.
“I’m having fun playing basketball. I’ve said I’m gonna bring energy (with Phoenix) and I’m happy to be able to do that,” he said.
Phoenix needed every bit of that energy.
The Fuel Masters saw a solid first-half lead disappear, then rebuilt control in the third quarter before surviving Magnolia’s late charge in the final minutes. What looked like a comfortable finish quickly turned into a test of composure after Phoenix stretched its advantage to 13 midway through the fourth, only to see the Hotshots storm back behind Jerom Lastimosa and new import Nuni Omot.
But just when the game threatened to slip, Phoenix found the stops it needed.
“We’re lucky we made some key stops,” said Tiu, whose first PBA game as head coach ended in a statement win after his successful collegiate run with St. Benilde.
That defensive resolve may have been the most encouraging sign for Phoenix, a team determined to bounce back from a disappointing 10th-place finish in the Philippine Cup. The Fuel Masters were not just carried by Dickey, either. Jason Perkins led the locals with 19 points, while Kai Ballungay and Ken Tuffin chipped in 12 apiece. Ricci Rivero and Evan Nelle added 10 each in a balanced effort that reflected the kind of connected play Tiu wants from his squad.
Magnolia, for its part, got a strong debut from Omot, the last-minute replacement for Terrell Brown-Soares. The South Sudan national team standout scored 27 points, with six rebounds and three assists, while Zavi Lucero added 19 and Lastimosa contributed 18. But five turnovers and a handful of defensive breakdowns proved costly in a game that the Hotshots nearly stole late.
The result gave Phoenix more than just an opening-day win. It offered an early glimpse of the team’s new personality—scrappy, composed, and powered by an import willing to do the dirty work.
For one night at least, Dickey was the piece that held everything together, and Tiu’s first game on the Phoenix bench could not have unfolded much better.