FUEL MASTERS, GIN KINGS GO 2-0
Games today (AUF Sports Arena) 4 p.m. – TerraFirma vs Rain or Shine 6:45 p.m. – San Miguel vs TNG Tropang Giga
The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters came into the PBA bubble aiming to be the “best version” of themselves.
After two games, coach Topex Robinson and his wards are among the best teams in Clark.
With Jason Perkins turning in a career-high 31 and an array of players stepping up for marked man Matthew Wright, Phoenix emerged victorious over NorthPort, 110-105, to grab a share of the Philippine Cup lead with idle TNT Tropang Giga (2-0).
Perkins stood at the front and tailend of a lethal 18-8 blast that gave the Fuel Masters a nine-point cushion going into the last 3:16 of the Thursday opener at AUF Sports Arena in Angeles City.
The former La Salle standout complemented his scoring with 12 rebounds and two assists and capped his brilliance with two crucial free throws that put an end to NorthPort’s late upheaval.
Wright, who sizzled with 36 in their 116-98 rout of Meralco, finished with 23 against the Batang Pier’s tough defending but chalked up substantial numbers in rebounds (seven) and assists (nine).
Justin Chua chipped in 17 highlighted by backto-back triples that maintained a 101-94 edge while also accounting for three of Phoenix’ 12 blocks. RJ Jazul (10) and Jansen Rios (eight) also contributed.
“We expected a tough battle and we knew NorthPort is going to look at Matt. And Matt knows this is his best opportunity to build trust – by looking for his open teammates and trusting they will score,” said Robinson, whose charges likewise spoiled the triple-double performance of NorthPort’s Sean Anthony (23-12-10).
Robinson downplayed the Fuel Masters’ hot start in the bubble.
“We could be 2-0, we could be 0-2; it doesn’t matter to us because we just wanted to grow as a team,” he said. “We reminded each other we’re not a team yet, we’re just a group of gifted individuals playing the game of basketball and we’re in the best position to be the team that we wanted to be and it’s going to take a lot of sacrifices,” he added.
Barangay Ginebra created a three-way logjam at the top after picking up win no. 2 at the expense of Blackwater, 103-99. The Elite dropped to 1-1.
Prince Caperal banged in a game-high 24 to go with six boards and three assists to take centerstage for a Gin Kings crew that survived a furious rally by Elite in the endgame. The scores First Game Phoenix 110 – Perkins 31, Wright 23, Chua 17, Jazul 10, Heruela 9, Rios 8, Intal 5, Napoles 4, Marcelo 3, Reyes 0, Garcia 0.
NorthPort 105 – Standhardinger 28, Anthony 23, Lanete 17, Ferrer 14, Taha 7, Nabong 6, Elorde 4, Cruz 2, Revilla 2, Guinto 2, Manganti 0, Subido 0. Quarterscores: 23-23, 55-51, 83-77, 110-105 Second Game Ginebra 103 – Caperal 24, Pringle 17, Thompson 14, Chan 12, Aguilar 11, Dillinger 9, Mariano 8, Tolentino 5, DeVance 3, Tenorio 0.
Blackwater 99 – Trollano 23, Belo 16, Sumang 14, Daquioag 11, Tolomia 7, Desiderio 7, Golla 6, Canaleta 5, Magat 5, Dennison 5, Dario 0, Salem 0
Quarterscores: 26-19, 49-37, 75-76, 103-99