(PBA images)
PHOENIX rose from a blowout loss the last time out and sent TNT to its worst conference start in the previous 25 years with a 95-81 victory in their PBA Philippine Cup road tiff at the Ynares Center Montalban Friday.
Jason Perkins erupted for 27 points, including 3-of-3 three-point shooting, and four other Phoenix players hit in double figures as the Fuel Masters pounced on the Tropang 5G’s continued struggle, dealing them a third straight loss in the PBA Season 49 all-Filipino tourney.
Tyler Tio fired 16 points, counting three treys, while Ken Tuffin and Kai Balliungay added 11 apiece. RJ Jazul tossed 10 markers off the bench as Phoenix bounced back from a loss to Magnolia (99-118) the last time out and improved to 2-3.
The Fuel Masters set the tone right in the opening quarter, seizing control early and dominating the Tropang 5G before eventually handing them a third straight defeat in the tourney where they’re trying to nail the third jewel in a possible Grand Slam season.
Coach Chot Reyes’ troops couldn’t get into the groove and fell to 0-3 in the tourney—the first start of such a kind since a similar record to kick off its campaign in the 2000 Philippine Cup, as per PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.
Calvin Oftana scored 20 points, Simon Enciso added 14, and Rey Nambatac and RR Pogoy each contributed at least 10 points in a losing cause.
On the solid start of Perkins, Tio, Tuffin and Ballungay, took the opening frame at 28-14 and sustained the juggernaut to the finish.
Perkins scored 27 points, six rebounds, and three assists, fuelling Magnolio’s strong debut and enabling its 50-point performance.
The scores:
Phoenix 95 – Perkins 27, Tio 16, Tuffin 11, Ballungay 11, Jazul 10, Garcia 8, Manganti 3, Camacho 3, Soyud 2, Verano 2, Ular 2, Rivero 0, Alejandro 0, Daves 0.
TNT 81- Oftana 20, Enciso 14, Nambatac 12, Pogoy 10, Heruela 6, Razon 6, Khobuntin 5, Erram 4, Galinato 2, Payawal 2, Ebona 0, Aurin 0, Varilla 0, Williams 0.
Quarterscores: 28-14, 50-32, 73-55, 95-81
