Phoenix big man Jayson Perkins. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Phoenix kept its pace to try and secure a quarterfinals spot after torching Blackwater, 114-92, in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Saturday at DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
The Fuel Masters notched their second straight win and improved to a 4-5 record to grab a hold of the eighth spot while the Bossing dropped to a miserable 0-9 record matching the second losing streak in PBA history.
Phoenix, after trailing 27-17 in the first quarter, upped the ante in the second outscoring the Bossing 30-21 and taking a slim 52-50 lead heading into the break.
Vic Manuel then drained a three-pointer to cap off the Fuel Masters’ 12-0 run for the 69-57 lead midway through the third.
Phoenix head coach Topex Robinson that his team taking every opportunity to get into peak shape especially with just two games remaining on their schedule.
“We love this kind of opportunity for us to really get better and sharpen our saw,” said Robinson. “We will always learn from this experience and we still have a lot of things to work on as a team.”
“The good thing about it is we have control of our destiny so we have to grind it out with our last two games.”
Jason Perkins led Phoenix with 17 points while hitting five of his team’s 19 three-pointers in the game.
Matthew Wright pitched in with 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists for the Fuel Masters while RJ Jazul added 14 points.
Mike Tolomia had a game-high 23 points to lead Blackwater.