PHOENIX ENDS PHL CUP BID ON HIGH NOTE

Phoenix revved up right from tipoff and cruised to a 124-109 win over Blackwater to end its rather disappointing campaign in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup with some semblance of pride Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

A massive first quarter was all the Fuel Masters needed to control the match and eventually string back-to-back wins for a 4-7 win-loss record finish in the season-ending all-Filipino Conference.

Jason Perkins posted a personal-tournament high 39 points on 14-of-20 field goal shooting while Ken Tuffin dropped a monster double-double 29 points and career-high 14 rebounds for Phoenix. Tuffin went 4-of-5 from the three-point area in a 9-of-11 shooting from the field and even nailed seven of his eight free throws.

Tyler Tio had 14 points while Kai Ballungay finished with 14 points and 14 boards for the Fuel Masters.

“Not only this conference but the entire season, a lot of learnings for this young group of guys,” Phoenix head coach Jamike Jarin said.

“We’re growing together, so, we’re looking forward to the next season.”

Perkins and Tuffin combined for 23 points in Phoenix’s blazing 39-point first period that opened a 20-point separation.

The Bossing played better offensively in the next three frames, but the Fuel Masters kept their distance throughout the game with timely answers each time Blackwater attempted an uprising.

Blackwater wrapped its participation with a 2-9 card to slide down to 11th place.

Richard Escoto had 25 points, RK Ilagan added 18 points and nine assists while Sedrick Barefield got 13 points for the Bossing.