The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters kept their 2021 PBA Philippine Cup playoff chances in good shape after a 114-92 blowout over the winless Blackwater Bossing at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga, on Saturday, September 11.
As the Fuel Masters rose to 8th place with a 4-5 record, the Bossing on the other hand continued their freefall to a 0-9 slate with their 17th straight loss dating back to 2020’s bubble season.
They are now one loss away from tying the league’s longest losing streak set by Great Taste way back in 1980.
Justin Chua snapped out of a scoring funk and led the way with a team-best 17 points and a game-high 9 rebounds in just 24 minutes of action. Jason Perkins followed up a season-high 28-marker outing with 17 points as well on 6-of-13 shooting.
As has been the case for their last few games, the Bossing emptied their ammo on offense in the first half and kept the game tied at 57-all early in the third quarter before Phoenix fired a quick 12-0 run capped with a Vic Manuel three, 69-57, at the 5:30 mark.
That was all the breathing room the Fuel Masters needed to turn away their foes as they peaked with a 25-point lead, 114-89, off a late Aljun Melecio rainbow trey with 13 ticks left in regulation.
Matthew Wright stuffed the stat sheet along with his teammates and finished with 16 points, 8 boards, and 6 assists to go with a 4-of-8 clip from downtown, while RJ Jazul sparked up with 14 markers off the bench on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting from deep.
“We try to always give our best, that’s always been our mindset coming into games. The win will be the byproduct of what we’re doing,” head coach Topex Robinson said in the postgame presser.
“We’re in the process now of rebuilding, and we love these kinds of opportunities for us to really get better.”
Mike Tolomia continued his strong play amid multiple bad losses with a game-high 23 points off the bench on 9-of-16 shooting, while Marion Magat dropped 14 markers and 3 rebounds in just 15 minutes on the court.
Phoenix and Blackwater, both now with nine games under their belt, will take some few days off before the new schedule is released next week.
The Scores:
Phoenix 114 – Perkins 17, Chua 17, Wright 16, Jazul 14, Melecio 11, Banchero 10, Garcia 8, Muyang 7, Manuel 7, Pascual 4, Rios 3, Calisaan 0, Demusis 0, Tamsi 0. B
Blackwater 92 – Tolomia 23, Magat 14, Daquioag 10, Enciso 9, Cruz 9, Golla 8, Escoto 6, Canaleta 4, Desiderio 4, Amer 3, Dennison 2, Paras 0, Torralba 0.
Quarters: 22-29, 52-50, 82-68, 114-92.
– Rappler.com
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