Player of the week: Jason Perkins taking his game to next level

MANILA, Philippines—-Jason Perkins had been solid for Phoenix and he even managed to up the ante on the big stage of the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs.

The reigning Rookie of the Year on Sunday played his best game yet as he led the Fuel Masters to their first playoff win and a maiden trip to the semifinals.

Perkins starred with 31 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field while also collecting nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and a block as top seed Phoenix knocked off No. 8 Alaska, 91-76, in their quarterfinals matchup.

READ: Semis-bound Phoenix just getting started

“We worked really hard for this. We get a lot of support from Phoenix [management]. Everyone invested a lot on this, the energy and time so finally getting this one is good,” Perkins said after the game.

Perkins bested Rain or Shine guards Ed Daquioag and Rey Nambatac, Barangay Ginebra big men Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter as well as San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo and Terrence Romeo for the weekly citation.

Phoenix faces the winner of the TNT-San Miguel quarterfinals matchup in a best-of-seven semifinals series.