Jason Perkins and Ricci Rivero took turns in delivering the key baskets as Phoenix kept Blackwater at bay, 106-98, to stay in the race for the playoff spot in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Perkins exploded for a conference-high 33 points while Rivero fired 25 as the Fuel Masters produced answers to every Bossing run to pick up the win and inject life to Phoenix’s flickering quarterfinals hopes.
Phoenix improved to a 3-6 record good for a tie with Titan Ultra at the ninth spot and just a game behind No. 8 team Barangay Ginebra in the standings.
Perkin added seven rebounds and a block to his name while Rivero also had nine rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
Ken Tuffin contributed a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix which squandered a lead that was once 16 points but recovered just in time to frustrate Blackwater.
Sedrick Barefield led the Bossing with 25 points while Christian David finished with 18. Southeast Asian Games-bound Abu Tratter chipped in 17 while Dalph Panopio had 12 points and five assists.
Their efforts, however, went down the drain as the Bossing dropped to a 1-7 slate, tied with the Terrafirma Dyip at the bottom of the standings.
Meantime, Calvin Abueva provided the big plays down the stretch as Titan Ultra essayed a nail-biting 111-108 come-from-behind win over Terrafirma to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.
