Phoenix handed TNT a 95-81 beatdown for its second win in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Friday night at the Ynares Center II in Montalban.
The Fuel Masters leaned on the solid shooting of Jason Perkins, Tyler Tio, and Kenneth Tuffin to jump to a 28-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. And that was all they needed to set the tone for the rout, eventually getting back on track.
Coach Jamike Jarin’s wards got blown out by Magnolia in Zamboanga City the last time out. This time, they bounced back convincingly by venting their ire on a team that’s now off to its worst start in nearly three decades.
The flagship MVP Group franchise fell to 0-3 in a conference for the first time since the 2000 All-Filipino Cup, per league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
(C) PBA Images
“We forgot to have fun. No matter what the results will be after 48 minutes, we have to have fun. But I said, it’s gonna be more fun winning than having fun losing. So, we all responded,” said the veteran bench tactician.
Perkins led the way with 27 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a block in a solid performance that saw him finish the game without a foul.
“Just staying in the moment,” said the lefty big man, who shot 55-percent from the floor, including a perfect 3-for-3 clip from three-point distance.
Tio supplied 16 points, spiked by three triples as well. He and Perkins accounted for half of Phoenix’s 12 treys in the wire-to-wire win.
Tuffin and Ballungay delivered 11 points apiece, while RJ Jazul chipped in 10 markers off the bench in the win that improved their record to 2-3.
The Fuel Masters will look to take down another traditional contender in San Miguel on May 11, Sunday, 5:00 PM at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
(C) PBA Images
Calvin Oftana, on the other hand, finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and six assists to lead the Grand Slam seekers in the loss. Simon Enciso and Rey Nambatac backed him up with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
The road won’t get easier for the Tropang 5G as they will also be battling the Beermen next this Sunday, May 4, 7:30 PM at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Scores:
Phoenix 95 – Perkins 27, Tio 16, Tuffin 11, Ballungay 11, Jazul 10, Garcia 8, Camacho 3, Manganti 3, Soyud 2, Verano 2, Ular 2, Rivero 0, Alejandro 0, Daves 0.
TNT 81 – Oftana 20, Enciso 14, Nambatac 12, Pogoy 10, Razon 6, Heruela 6, Khobuntin 5, Erram 4, Payawal 2, Galinato 2, Williams 0, Ebona 0, Aurin 0, Varilla 0.
Quarterscores: 28-14, 50-32, 73-55, 95-81.
