Jason Perkins showed nerves of steel in the dying seconds to lift Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters to a 98-96 win over the NorthPort Batang Pier, to get back on track in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup, Wednesday at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Perkins canned a pair of pressure-packed free throws with 7.2 ticks left to play. He saved Phoenix from a meltdown, as they had built a 13-point lead early only to squander it and allow NorthPort to lead by three with two minutes to go.
The sophomore forward finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Perkins was part of Phoenix’s balanced attack, which was led by Matthew Wright with 22 points and five assists. Justin Chua had 19 points and nine boards, while Calvin Abueva had 14 and seven caroms. RJ Jazul chimed in 10 markers.
Still, Phoenix head coach Louie Alas lauded his wards’ defense in the win.
“Yung character namin defensively medyo nagi-improve na… Naniniwala kami na mananalo kami because of our offense, pero ito pang-apat na panalo namin out of six wins, is because of stops,” said the seasoned mentor.
But aside from defense, Lady Luck was on the Fuel Masters’ side.
Phoenix avoided a huge blow with 47.8 seconds remaining in the game, when Sean Anthony’s three-pointer did not count as the referees called him for an offensive foul. That foul was his sixth, ending his night prematurely.
Had that counted, NorthPort would have been up, 99-96.
Anthony exited the match with 20 points, nine rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block. But leading the way for the Batang Pier was center Mo Tautuaa, who produced a near-triple-double of 22 points, eight boards, and seven dimes.
The Fuel Masters have successfully bounced back from the stinging 94-98 defeat they received from the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. They also improve their record to 6-1, which makes them virtually qualified for the quarterfinals.
NorthPort, meanwhile, absorbed their third straight loss and dropped to 2-3.
Phoenix try to get going versus the Alaska Aces this Friday, March 1, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. On the other hand, NorthPort look to redeem themselves versus the Meralco Bolts on March 8, Friday, still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Phoenix 98 – Wright 22, Chua 19, Abueva 14, Perkins 12, Jazul 10, Revilla 9, Mallari 7, Kramer 2, Dennison 2, Marcelo 1, Guevarra 0, Napoles 0, Mendoza 0.
NorthPort 96 – Tautuaa 22, Anthony 20, Elorde 15, Bolick 10, Taha 10, Guinto 8, Arana 6, Grey 3, Lanete 2, Flores 0, Sollano 0.
Quarterscores: 20-13, 41-38, 67-63, 98-96.
