Jason Perkins and Kenneth Tuffin delivered career-best performances to lead Phoenix to a commanding 124–109 victory over Blackwater, closing out their 2025 PBA Philippine Cup campaign on a high note, Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Perkins shattered his previous career-high of 31 points — which he recorded twice, first against Alaska on April 7, 2019, and then versus NorthPort on October 15, 2020 — by exploding for 39 points on 14-of-20 shooting. He also chipped in five assists and four rebounds in a complete performance.
Tuffin, in just his sophomore year, also impressed with 29 points on an ultra-efficient 9-of-11 shooting from the field, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. He completed a double-double with 14 rebounds.
Also stepping up was Kai Ballungay, who posted 14 points and matched it with 14 rebounds for another strong showing.
(C) PBA Images
“They are just going to get better. Kai Ballungay had a big transformation this conference. He has proven he can be a superstar in this league,” said head coach Jamike Jarin, now in his second year at the helm of the Fuel Masters.
“Kenneth Tuffin, another year, he has matured, and he is just going to get better.”
It was a wire-to-wire win for Phoenix, who opened the game with a scorching 27–12 run and never looked back, leading by as much as 27 points at one stage.
The Fuel Masters shot a solid 48.3% from the field and completely dominated the rebounding battle, 56–31.
(C) PBA Images
“A lot of learning for our young group of guys. I like growing up with these young men. You can’t fast-track that, and we have one year under our belts. We’re growing together,” Jarin added.
“We are looking forward to the next season. The way we played the last two games should be the way we should be playing in Season 50.”
Phoenix finished the conference in ninth place with a 4–7 record, ending their season on a two-game winning streak.
Meanwhile, it was a different story for Jeffrey Cariaso’s Blackwater squad. The Bossing wrapped up their campaign with a 2–9 slate, dropping seven of their last eight games and settling for 11th place.
Richard Escoto led Blackwater with 20 points, while RK Ilagan followed with 18 points and nine assists. Sedrick Barefield added 13 markers, but Christian David struggled, managing just eight points on 2-of-7 shooting.
Blackwater secured the second overall pick in the upcoming draft.
The Scores:
Phoenix 124 – Perkins 39, Tuffin 29, Tio 14, Ballungay 14, Garcia 6, Rivero 5, Camacho 5, Verano 5, Jazul 4, Alejandro 3, Salado 0, Ular 0, Daves 0, Manganti 0.
Blackwater 109 – Escoto 20, Ilagan 18, Barefield 13, Mitchell 9, Tratter 9, David 8, Guinto 6, Ayonayon 5, Andrade 5, Mallillin 5, Chua 4, Caperal 3, Jopia 2, Casio 2, Corteza 0.
Quarterscores: 39-19, 65-48, 97-85, 124-109.
