Phoenix’s Jayson Perkins hustles for the ball. –PBA IMAGES
Phoenix won its first game in the PBA Philippine Cup in style on Friday, using lessons learned from two previous losses to post a 97-74 demolition of Terrafirma which gave coach Topex Robinson something good to look forward to.
“[We thought] as long as we’re moving the ball, and play beautiful basketball together, we’ll have a chance [at winning],” said Robinson after drawing 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists from Jason Perkins at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“We’ve learned so many lessons … on how to stick together when theTerrafirma going gets tough. What we agreed upon was to play together.”
San Miguel Beer remained perfect after carving out an 87-81 victory over Magnolia in the nightcap.
Mo Tautuaa came off the bench to shoot 19 points and pace the Beermen, who rose to 3-0 while dealing the Hotshots a third loss in four games.
Matthew Wright, the Fuel Masters’ cornerstone who will be leaving the team after the conference to play in Japan, finished with 11 points and 10 assists to help Phoenix to leads of as large as 35 points—the biggest in the young tournament thus far.
Phoenix climbed to 1-2 and will take some form of momentum going into its next game, which will be against newcomer Converge on Sunday.
“They’re a scary team. I mean, they’re playing beautifully together,” Robinson said of the FiberXers, whose three losses against formidable teams were close.