Ken Tuffin provided the big hits down the stretch as Phoenix spoiled the career games of Justin Arana and Alec Stockton to keep Converge winless, 113-107, in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Friday, April 12. 

Timely hits from the rookie kept the Fuel Masters afloat against the surging comeback from the FiberXers to come away with their only second win through six games.

Displaying poise beyond his years in the league, Tuffin actually took matters in his own hands and scored 10 straight points inside the final five minutes just exactly when Converge cut a once 15-point second half lead down to just three, 101-98.

Tuffin first converted on a layup before drilling a booming triple as a retaliation to a layup made by Converge in the possession prior. The Fil-Kiwi wingman didn’t stop there, scoring a fastbreak layup off an RJ Jazul steal before taking care of two more free throws.

As the dust settled, Phoenix already regained footing a 111-100 with 2:55 left – a lead that proved to be enough to withstand a desperate rally from the FiberXers in the end.

Tuffin finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds while it was Jason Perkins who led the way in scoring for Phoenix with 26 points apart from 13 rebounds, four assists and a block.

The Fuel Masters also got a huge lift from another rookie in Ricci Rivero who also had a conference-high of 17 points. 

Matthew Daves and Javee Mocon chipped in 11 each while Jjay Alejandro had 10 to power the Fuel Masters bench mob enough to match the firepower of Arana and Stockton who combined for 63 points.

Arana mustered a double-double of 32 points and 16 rebounds while Stockton supported him with 31 points, seven rebounds and four assists. They actually both notched career-high in scoring – the first in Converge’s young franchise history to have two players score over 30 points on the same game.

Outside of the two, however, there was simply no one else for Converge with Bryan Santos the only other double-digit scorer with 11. Making it worse was even with the career-game of the two, it was not enough to give Converge the elusive first win after seven tries.