Phoenix Super LPG put an end to Terrafirma’s three-game winning streak after carving out a 96-84 victory Thursday, Sept. 9 in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Jason Perkins scored 28 points while Vic Manuel sparked a fourth quarter run that enabled the Fuel Masters to move into a share of eighth spot with the Dyip at 3-5.
Matthew Wright, despite dealing with early foul trouble, and seldom-used Michael Calisaan also delivered for Phoenix, which came into the contest wary of Terrafirma’s capability of producing another big win.
The Dyip recovered from a 0-4 start by picking up upset wins over the San Miguel Beermen and defending champion Barangay Ginebra before rallying past tailender Blackwater.
“Reality sets that they beat San Miguel, they beat Ginebra, they beat Blackwater,” said Phoenix coach Topex Robinson. “That means, they’re really here on a mission.
“So we just respected the team. We know that if we’re not gonna give our best basketball, that’s a recipe for a loss for us,” Robinson added.
The Fuel Masters went into the fourth up 69-64 but Manuel scored back-to-back baskets while RJ Jazul knocked down a triple to make it 84-67, less than eight minutes remaining.
Manuel had nine of his 18 points in the final period, Wright bucked early foul trouble to produce 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals after.
Wright made 5-of-13 shots, but it was a slight improvement from his 5-of-32 clip in the last two games opposite Rain or Shine and NLEX.
An unlikely player who also keyed Phoenix’s win was Calisaan, who played a total of almost 24 minutes in five games since being acquired from Magnolia Pambansang Manok as part of the Calvin Abueva trade in February.
Calisaan put up seven of his nine points in the third, including a three that gave Phoenix its first 10-point gap since the second quarter at 57-47.
Aldrech Ramos scored 13 points while Eric Camson, Roosevelt Adams and Joseph Gabayni added 11 each for Terrafirma in the loss.
Juami Tiongson couldn't replicate his stirring performances that earned him Cignal Play PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors, scoring just eight points on 2-of-10 shooting.
The scores:
PHOENIX 96 — Perkins 28, Manuel 18, Wright 15, Chua 9, Calisaan 9, Jazul 7, Banchero 4, Garcia 4, Pascual 2, Rios 0, Demusis 0, Faundo 0.
TERRAFIRMA 84 — Ramos 13, Gabayni 11, Adams 11, Camson 11, McCarthy 10, Tiongson 8, Cahilig 4, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Laput 4, Calvo 3, Batiller 3, Celda 2.
Quarters: 24-17, 48-47, 69-64, 96-84.