PBA: Phoenix fends off Alaska in pre-season match

Phoenix held off Alaska, 89-85, in the preseason Tuesday at Upper Deck Gym in Pasig.

Matthew Wright buried two free throws with six seconds left to slam the door on the Aces’ comeback bid.
Wright led the Fuel Masters with 17 points on top of four assists.

“I expected [Alaska to comeback] because we still have to many breakdowns and we still do things that we shouldn’t too,” said Phoenix head coach Louie Alas. “We’re still in adjustment period.”

Phoenix led, 82-71, after a floater by LA Revilla with 2:39 remaining that capped the Fuel Masters’ 11-0 run.

The Aces kept fighting and pulled to within two, 87-85, after Jeron Teng hit a three and Abel Galliguez followed it up with two more 3-pointers with nine ticks left.

The Fuel Masters, however, inbounded the ball to their best free throw shooting in Wright to put the game out of reach.

Veteran swingman Jeff Chan (rest) did not play after suiting up in Phoenix’s 95-91 loss to Rain or Shine on Monday while big men Justine Chua and Joseph Eriobu combined for 21 points and 16 rebounds.

Jason Perkins, Phoenix’s fourth overall pick in the draft two months ago, scored nine points off the bench.
His former La Salle teammate Teng, who was the fifth pick, also had nine points for Alaska. Perkins and Teng won two UAAP championships together in 2013 and 2016.

Aces star Calvin Abueva had game-highs 22 points and 10 rebounds despite logging only 21 minutes off the bench. JVee Casio, Sonny Thoss and Ping Exciminiano didn’t play for Alaska.