Phoenix weathers TNT storm, ties series at 1-1

Jason Perkins leads Phoenix. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Phoenix showed its resiliency late in the game to turn back TNT, 110-103, and tie the semifinals series at 1-1 in the PBA Philippine Cup Friday at Angeles University Foundation.

Trailing 92-90 midway through the fourth, the Fuel Masters jumped to a quick 8-0 run to wrest a 98-92 lead with 3:01 left.

RR Garcia then capped off a crucial 6-0 blitz with a driving layup to put Phoenix ahead 107-97 with 46 seconds left.

Phoenix head coach Topex Robinson said they just banked on what they did in Game 1 despite suffering a close 95-92 loss in that series opener.

“We always talk about that one percent, give one percent more than from the last game,” said Robinson. “We don’t wanna shake the boat because I think we did what we were supposed to do in Game 1.”

Jason Perkins had the lion’s share of the Fuel Masters offense with 21 points on 7-of-17 shooting but it was Calvin Abueva who was the team’s engine with 20 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Justin Chua pitched in 18 points and eight boards for Phoenix while RJ Jazula and Garcia had 16 and 12 points, respectively.

Bobby Ray Parks Jr. had a game-high 41 points on 10-of-14 shooting from deep but fouled out with 4:59 remaining in the game.

Castro, who had 20 points in Game 1, was limited to nine points on 2-of-10 shooting.