PBA: Phoenix ends Philippine Cup stint with win over Blackwater
Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Jason Perkins during a PBA Philippine Cup gane against Blackwater Bossing. –PBA IMAGES
Phoenix ended its campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup and Season 49 on a bright note after defeating Blackwater, 124-109, on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Jason Perkins and Kenneth Tuffin registered career highs with 39 and 29 points, respectively, as the Fuel Masters ended the eliminations with a 4-7 record after winning their final two games.
Overall, Phoenix won just eight of 33 games in the 2024-25 campaign, but failed to make the playoffs in each of the season’s three conferences.
The Fuel Masters will now focus on how they can get better, especially with the young pieces like Tuffin and rookie Kai Ballungay in tow.
Ballungay added 14 points and 14 rebounds for Phoenix.
Blackwater finished the tournament with a 2-9 record despite 20 points from Richard Escoto and 18 from RK Ilagan.
The Bossing started the conference at 1-2 before dropping five straight to bow out of playoff contention.
Blackwater registered 10 wins out of 33 matches, half of which came in the Governors’ Cup with high-scoring import George King. The Bossing went 3-9, also with King, in the Commissioner’s Cup.
