Phoenix barged into the win column in a dominant fashion as it drubbed the depleted Terrafirma squad, 97-74, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday, June 17 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Fuel Masters showed no mercy as they fired from all cylinders on the offensive end while putting clamps on the Dyip who went scoreless in long stretches of the game.
Jason Perkins led the charge with 17 points and nine rebounds and five assists while four other players scored in twin digits for Phoenix.
Matthew Wright had a double-double of 11 points and 10 assists while Javee Mocon, RJ Jazul and Encho Serrano chipped in 10 points each.
“As much as possible we don’t want to go deep in that bottom of the standings so it’s something that’s big for us. We know how deadly the Dyip is if we will take it easy on them,” said Phoenix head coach Topex Robinson.
“I guess one thing that worked for us was we really clamped down on defense and let the offense take care of itself,” he added.
A huge second quarter for Phoenix set the tone for the rout as it unloaded 26 points while limiting Terrafirma to a measly 10-point output.
The Fuel Masters also used a balanced attack during that telling run with Perkins, Serrano, Jazul and Aljun Melecio providing solid contributions on both ends of the floor to build a huge 44-24 lead at the half.
If that was not enough, Phoenix still came out firing after the break as it unleashed a blistering 15-0 run that stretched the lead to 35 points — the biggest cushion a team had built so far in the season after the 21-point margin of Northport over Rain or Shine last week.
The Dyip attempted to mount a comeback towards the end of the third and at the start of the final frame behind the efforts of Joseph Gabayni, Aldrech Ramos and Andreas Cahilig, cutting the lead down to 14, 67-73 halfway through the payoff period.
Wright and Perkins however played the firemen role as their timely hits in the ensuing plays slammed the door on the Dyip's comeback hopes.
Gabayni tried to carry the scoring cudgels in the absence of Isaac Go, Ed Daquioag and Eric Camson with 16 points and nine rebounds while Ramos added 14 markers in a losing effort.
The scores:
Phoenix Super LPG 97 – Perkins 17, Wright 11, Mocon 10, Jazul 10, Serrano 10, Anthony 9, Melecio 8, Tio 8, Lalata 5, Porter 5, Garcia 4, Muyang 0, Rios 0.
Terrafirma 74 – Gabayni 16, Ramos 4, Cahilig 10, Tiongson 9, Calvo 9, Monzon 6, Gomez de Liano 5, Mina 3, Balagasay 2, Grospe 0, Tumalip 0, Enriquez 0. Quarters: 18-14; 44-24; 71-46; 97-74.