Pre-season game between NLEX Road Warriors vs Phoenix Fuel Masters. Photo from PBA.ph
Rookie Jason Perkins gave a preview of what he’s capable of in Phoenix’s 111-104 win over NLEX in the preseason Wednesday at Upper Deck Gym in Pasig City.
Perkins, the fourth overall pick in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft, shot 11 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter where the Fuel Masters reestablished a double-digit lead after blowing a 19-point advantage.
Matthew Wright, Justin Chua and Jeff Chan also played major roles as the three combined for 47 points.
Wright hit a triple to put the Fuel Masters back up by 10, 101-91, with 4:03 remaining before back-to-back baskets by Chua put away the Road Warriors for good, 109-99, with 56 seconds left.
Chan scored 17 points built on three 3-pointers and had three rebounds and seven assists. Phoenix improved to 2-1 with its other win at the expense of Alaska.
Perkins and Chan led Phoenix’s hot start where it took a 33-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Fuel Masters extended their advantage to 19, 44-25, at the 6:31 mark of the second quarter before the Road Warriors knotted the game at 74 heading into the final frame.
Larry Fonacier fired 12 of his 18 in the third period to pace NLEX, which dropped to 1-2 in the preseason, in scoring. JR Quiñahan and Raul Soyud each had a double-double.
NLEX missed the services of Kevin Alas. Rookie Kiefer Ravena added 10 points, three rebounds and three assists.