Phoenix snapped out of its two-game funk by prolonging the struggles of an incomplete Blackwater, 125-108, to go above. 500 once more in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, Friday at the Ynares Center II in Montalban.
The Fuel Masters were quick to set the pace in their favor, although it wasn’t until the third canto that they’d break the game wide open on the way to getting back on track after losing to NLEX and Ginebra in their last two outings.
So lopsided was the affair that Coach Charles Tiu’s men breached the century mark barely two minutes into the fourth, 102-83, before cruising to their fourth win in seven outings to create more separation with Magnolia in the standings.
Following the result, the crew improved to 4-3 while the idle Hotshots–which they beat in their conference debut–are sitting at no. 7 with a 3-4 record.
(C) PBA images
“It just feels nice to get back with a win,” exhaled Tiu. “Two-game losing streak is tough, the morale’s down. Just happy that we found a way to win.”
James Dickey III led the balanced attack with 27 points and 26 rebounds, plus five assists. The athletic import was crucial in their early charge, having tallied 17 and 18 in only the first half to tow his side to a 67-56 lead at the break.
Jason Perkins produced 25 points in one of his best games in a while. Kenneth Tuffin rifled in 20 points, spiked by four triples, alongside seven rebounds and three assists on his way to earning a rare Player of the Game citation.
Tyler Tio made 14 points and five assists while Ricci Rivero added 13 markers and seven boards as five players finished in double figures, big thanks to their concerted effort to move the ball, as evidenced as well by 29 assists.
“Twenty-nine assists are great, so that just shows it could be anyone’s day shooting-wise. We were looking for each other,” said Tuffin.
The win shall help prepare Phoenix for its next game, which will be against none other than the 7-0 Rain or Shine–a team now aiming for a Top Four finish–on Tuesday, April 21, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.
“I’m just thinking and praying that they’re bound to lose. I mean, they have to lose at some point. I hope it will be to us,” said Tiu.
“We have to play better. If we play well, I still think we can compete with any team in this league, as long as we play together and play our A-game.”
(C) PBA images
Robert Upshaw III had 36 points and nine rebounds for the Bossing, who’s yet to give Patrick Aquino his first win as a PBA mentor and fell to 1-6.
Sedrick Barefield backed him up with 27 points, 26 of which he made in just the first half, but couldn’t sustain as much after being targeted on defense.
Paul Zamar had 14 points as Blackwater tried to get other sources of offense on a night it missed Dalph Panopio, reportedly due to a hand issue.
It won’t get any easier for the crew as they’re scheduled to face San Miguel Beer next on Wednesday, April 22, also at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores:
Phoenix 125 – Dickey III 27, Perkins 25, Tuffin 20, Tio 14, Rivero 13, Santos 6, Nelle 4, Ynot 4, Delos Santos 3, Caperal 3, Ando 3, Gozum 2, Daves 1, Escandor 0.
Blackwater 108 – Upshaw III 36, Barefield 27, Zamar 14, Andrade 8, Murrell 6, Tratter 6, Una 4, Jopia 3, Altamirano 2, David 2, Escoto 0, Dumont 0, Guinto 0, Mallilin 0.
Quarterscores: 34-26, 67-56, 97-79, 125-108.
