Manila: Phoenix got back on track with a 102-93 win over Blackwater in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila on Tuesday. Jason Perkins scored a team-high 25 points while Robert Johnson, Gian Mamuyac and Ricci Rivero provided chief support as the Fuel Masters remained on top of Group B at 4-1. The Bossing fell to 2-3 with its third straight defeat.
According to Philippines News Agency, Phoenix coach Charles Tiu praised the transformation of the Bossing under coach Pat Aquino. 'They're really a different team right now under coach Pat. He's done a really good job and they're believing in each other, they're playing hard, they're playing fast,' Tiu said. He emphasized the importance of stopping the Bossing's transition offense, which Phoenix successfully managed to do. 'Credit the guys, we were able to get some stops. It was tough, but we battled and we didn't give up,' Tiu added.
Phoenix was eager to recover from a 98-105 loss to Rain Or Shine on July 21. 'We played soft and I think they were able to bully us and be more physical than us and hindi kami pumalag (we didn't fight back). So, we made sure we'd address that and be the ones that were more aggressive today,' Tiu said. Perkins also contributed six rebounds while Johnson added 23 points and 12 rebounds. Mamuyac had 18 points and Rivero was close to a triple-double with 10 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists.
Blackwater's Kentrell Barkley led the game with 36 points and 25 rebounds, but Sedrick Barefield struggled, scoring just 10 points on 5-of-19 shooting. RK Ilagan attempted to compensate with 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, but the Bossing lost their grip on the game in the third period despite holding a 62-59 lead. Perkins sparked a crucial 19-10 run, which included six points from Mamuyac, giving Phoenix control with a 78-72 lead.
The scores:
First Game
PHOENIX 102 - Perkins 25, Johnson 23, Mamuyac 18, Rivero 10, Tio 8, Escandor 6, Tuffin 6, Ballungay 2, Delos Santos 2, Chua 2, Santos 0, Cullar 0.
BLACKWATER 93 - Barkley 36, Ilagan 20, Barefield 10, Austria 8, Panopio 7, Tratter 4, Una 4, Mallilin 2, Mendoza 2, Murrell 0.
Quarters: 20-22; 54-53; 78-72; 102-93
