JASON Perkins finally seeing action proved to be more than a big morale booster for Phoenix Super LPG as it notched a breakthrough win in the PBA Philippine Cup with a 109-97 shocker over defending champion Meralco Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Perkins showed he is fully recovered from the flu that kept him out of the Fuel Masters' first two outings, finishing with 19 points and five rebounds in just under 28 minutes of action on his first game in the season-ending tourney.
The spirit visibly rubbed off on the rest of Phoenix with Tyler Tio finishing with 22 points and six assists and Ricci Rivero a career-high 20 points while sparking his side's breakaway with 14 of his points coming in the first period alone.
"He brings a lot to the team. He plays the big, he plays the perimeter, he plays defense. He's just an overall player so we're just happy that he's playing and that he's with us," Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin said of Perkins.
The win, which became apparent after the Fuel Masters erected as much as a 90-64 lead, was also largely made possible by their 9-of-18 three-point shooting, a far cry from their 6-of-45 clip from the shorter arc in their first two games.
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Jarin said it was all about his team easing some of the pressure upon themselves. "We're all doing the right things, but we just couldn't get the results that we wanted," he said.
"Probably we were just pressuring ourselves too much," added Jarin. "We all just gathered together, had fun and played our game and stayed together."
"Big thing 'yung sinabi ni coach kanina about being happy, us having fun inside the court. Kasi the team is really happy off the court so we really have to translate it on the court and that's what happened today," said Rivero who averaged just 4.5 points in Phoenix's first two games.
The loss was Meralco's second straight in three games and it gave Phoenix the big opening when the Bolts struggled from the field, opening up with a 5-of-26 clip before finishing with a 32-of-93 shooting from the field overall.
The Bolts also failed in their defensive schemes, ultimately giving up 34 fouls which translated into the Fuel Masters being awarded 50 free throws, of which the latter made 21.
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Chris Newsome wound up with 18 points before fouling out with still 2:12 left in the game, following the footsteps of teammate Cliff Hodge, who committed his sixth foul four minutes earlier.
Bong Quinto added 17 points and Raymar Jose 12 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, but Meralco started finding itself in a deep hole after falling behind by 21-44 in the second period. (NC)
The Scores :
PHOENIX 109 - Tio 22, Rivero 20, Perkins 19, Ballungay 11, Tuffin 9, Salado 5, Jazul 5, Alejandro 3, Soyud 3, Garcia 2, Verano 2, Ular 2, Daves 2, Camacho 2, Manganti 2.
MERALCO 97 - Newsome 18, Quinto 17, Jose 12, Black 12, Cansino11, Almazan 10, Reyson 6, Rios 5, Caram 2, Torres 2, Hodge 2, Pasaol 0, Bates 0.
QUARTERS: 31-13, 58-37, 91-68, 109-97
