Jason Perkins. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Phoenix got the better of NorthPort, 108-97, in a PBA Governors’ Cup meeting between two teams without a victory on Thursday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Import Du’Vaughn Maxwell and Jason Perkins led the way as the Fuel Masters barged into the win column after starting the season-ending conference with three straight defeats.
Interim coach Jamike Jarin also got a breakthrough win after being tasked to replace Topex Robinson, who left before the start of the tournament to handle La Salle in the UAAP.
“You got to give the players and coaches for staying positive,” said Jarin. “Hopefully, this would lead to more wins coming into our succeeding games.”
Maxwell and Perkins scored 26 points apiece while combining for 18 rebounds for Phoenix, which prevailed despite almost squandering a huge lead.
Behind a 52-percent shooting aided by 14 threes, the Fuel Masters led by a high of 26 before foiling the Batang Pier rally behind Perkins and RJ Jazul, who added 16.
Jazul drained five triples to help Phoenix’s cause.
Import Marcus Weathers scored 31 points and Kent Salado came off the bench with 15, but NorthPort paid dearly for trailing 79-53 and fell to 0-4 under new coach Bonnie Tan.
NorthPort was able to close the gap to five, 92-87, on Salado’s basket over seven minutes left, before Phoenix responded behind Perkins and Jazul.
The Scores:
PHOENIX 108 — Perkins 26, Maxwell 26, Jazul 15, Manganti 13, Tio 8, Garcia 6, Serrano 6, Muyang 2, Lojera 2, Lalata 2, Soyud 1, Adamos 0, Alejandro 0, Camacho 0, Go 0.
NORTHPORT 97 — Weathers 28, Salado 15, Dela Cruz 12, Munzon 8, Chan 7, Tolentino 6, Sumang 5, Balagasay 5, Calma 2, Zamar 2, Taha 2, Caperal 2, Ayaay 0.
Quarters: 23-25, 55-46, 86-71, 108-97.