The Phoenix Fuel Masters quickly returned to the win column after losing to the Alaska Aces two days ago, as they tore apart the struggling TNT KaTropa, 112-82, in the 2018 Governors’ Cup, Friday at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Fuel Masters improved to 3-1 to gain a share of the fourth spot of the team standings with the NLEX Road Warriors, while the KaTropa absorbed their third straight loss and dropped down to 1-4.
“Big bounce back,” said Phoenix head coach Louie Alas. “I told them that this is the first time that we bounced back ng sobra-sobra. Kaya yung talo natin sa Alaska, wala na ‘yun, sobrang compensated na.”
Five Fuel Masters finished in double figures, with rookie Jason Perkins leading the pack with 22 points. Matthew Wright contributed 16 points and six assists, while Eugene Phelps supplied 15 markers and 11 rebounds.
The game was never in doubt right from the start when Phoenix turned a slim 4-7 deficit to a 20-7 lead with 4:22 to go in the first quarter. They already held a 38-point advantage, 61-23, atter RJ Jazul’s basket with 2:33 prior to the break.
The Fuel Masters just couldn’t be stoped and would go on to lead by as huge as 41, 100-59, after Wright’s corner triple with 7:59 left in the final period went in – Phoenix would lead with such amount multiple times after that.
Jazul had 13 markers, while Calvin Abueva provided 12 points and 13 rebounds in the victory.
Francis Tamsi had 14 points to lead the Texters, who missed the services of top shooting guard Terrence Romeo for unspecified reasons. Import Stacy Davis only had 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Jericho Cruz had 12 points.
Phoenix will have a lengthy break before facing the Meralco Bolts on September 19. TNT, meanwhile, will face the still-winless Columbian Dyip this Sunday, September 2, at 4:30 PM. Both games are still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Phoenix 112 – Perkins 22, Wright 16, Phelps 15, Jazul 13, Abueva 12, Eriobu 9, Chua 8, Revilla 6, Mendoza 6, Intal 3, Wilson 0, Gamboa 0.
TNT 82 – Tamsi 14, Davis 13, Cruz 12, Garcia 11, Carey 8, Semerd 7, Pogoy 7, Rosario 5, Reyes 3, Castro 2, Golla 0, Paredes 0, Williams 0, Saitanan 0.
Quarterscores: 29-17, 61-31, 85-56, 112-82.
