ANTIPOLO — Phoenix kept its playoff chances alive following a skid-snapping 106-98 victory over Blackwater in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center here on Saturday night.
Jason Perkins, Tyler Tio, and Ricci Rivero joined hands for the strong windup as the Fuel Masters had to repel a late-game Bossing surge on the way to snapping their six-game losing slide and earning just their third win of the tilt.
By improving to 3-6, Coach Willy Wilson’s charges have gained a share of the ninth spot in the team standings with Titan Ultra, moving two games behind Meralco and Ginebra, who are at no. 7 and 8, respectively, with 3-4 records.
Interestingly, their final games of the elimination round will be against the Bolts on December 12 and the Giant Risers on the 14th–games which they need to sweep to improve their chances of making it to the last eight.
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“It’s a hard question to answer about liking my chances. All I know is that we’re gonna prepare as best as we can against Meralco,” Wilson said.
Perkins bannered the win with a conference-high and a career second-best 33 points, which he laced with seven rebounds and two assists.
Rivero himself submitted a remarkable showing as well, finishing with 25 points alongside nine rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block off the bench. He shot 6-of-10 from the field and went 12-of-13 from the foul line.
Kenneth Tuffin finished with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds as he was also crucial in their solid finish to deal Blackwater its seventh loss in a row–that, after a winning season debut against the Dyip.
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Now in the midst of a harrowing winless spell yet again, Coach Jeff Cariaso & Co. will have to ace their remaining games against the Kings, San Miguel Beer, and the TNT Tropang 5G if they are to keep their flatlining hopes moving.
Sedrick Barefield led the Bossing with 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Christian David delivered 18 points on 16 shots and 10 rebounds.
Abu Tratter made 17 points and six rebounds while Dalph Panopio added 12 points and five assists as the tandem will soon shift their focus to Thailand as part of the Gilas team bound for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
The Scores:
Phoenix 106 – Perkins 33, Rivero 25, Tuffin 13, Ballungay 9, Tio 9, Santos 8, Jazul 3, Nelle 2, Taha 2, Kwekuteye 2, Garcia 0, Ando 0, Caperal 0, Escandor 0.
Blackwater 98 – Barefield 25, David 18, Tratter 17, Panopio 12, Mendoza 8, Mallilin 5, Guinto 4, Cruz-Dumont 3, Escoto 2, Andrade 2, Una 2.
Quarterscores: 33-21, 49-43, 80-70, 106-98.
