Jason Perkins and Vic Manuel did most of the damage as Phoenix Super LPG sent Terrafirma crashing back down to earth, 96-84, in the 2021 Honda PBA Philippine Cup, Thursday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor.
Perkins submitted his best outing of the conference so far as he finished with a game-high 28 points, including 20 in the first half that saw him help the Fuel Masters start the game ablaze with 11 consecutive points.
The wide-bodied bruiser shot 58-percent from the floor and also collected four rebounds and four assists in a turnover-less performance.
Manuel, meanwhile, made 18 points, half of which he made in the fourth quarter alone as he led his side’s 15-3 blitz to turn a five-point lead to an 84-67 advantage with 7:57 left, a gap that proved insurmountable for the Dyip.
Phoenix improved to 3-5 as it extinguished the hot three-game winning streak of Terrafirma, which came against San Miguel Beer, reigning champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, and the bottom-ranked Blackwater.
“That means they’re really here on a mission. So we just respected the team,” said head coach Topex Robinson. “We know that if we’re not gonna give our best basketball, that’s a recipe for a loss for us.”
Matthew Wright produced 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the triumph that put Phoenix back on track after absorbing a deflating 76-94 defeat in the hands of NLEX last September 4.
Michael Calisaan had his most productive outing for the Fuel Masters thus far, contributing nine points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field alongside seven rebounds in the 18 minutes he played as a starter.
The second-year forward was the one who pushed their lead to a game-high 18 points, 90-72, with 3:41 remaining in the game.
“Mike, he knows his role coming into this team. His teammates trust him a lot. And he does all the things, you know, he does a lot of the dirty work on our team,” said Robinson of the former San Sebastian star.
Terrafirma was led by Aldrech Ramos’s 13 points and four rebounds in the streak-busting defeat that dropped their record to 3-5.
The Dyip suffered a tough blow after Andreas Cahilig hurt his left ankle following a drive with 8:04 to go in the second period, He was able to shoot his foul shots but got pulled out shortly after, never to return.
Both squads will return to action on Saturday, September 11. Phoenix will look to sustain momentum against the 0-8 Blackwater at 4:35 p.m,, right after the meeting of Terrafirma with NLEX (4-3) at 2:00 p.m.
The Scores:
NorthPort 98 – Bolick 17, Malonzo 17, Ferrer 14, Slaughter 12, Anthony 9, Lanete 8, Onwubere 8, Taha 7, Balanza 2, Grey 2, Faundo 1, Subido 0, Doliguez 0, Elorde 0.
Blackwater (73) – Golla 14, Escoto 10, Cruz 9, Desiderio 8, Enciso 8, Daquioag 7, Torralba 7, Magat 5, Tolomia 5, Paras 0, Dennison 0, Canaleta 0.
Quarterscores: 25-20, 45-40, 75-53, 98-73.
