CHICAGO - If orange is the new black, as a book title once said, Phoenix is in danger of becoming the new Terrafirma in the PBA if it doesn't shape up soon.
Oh the irony, the Fuel Masters, who made the semis in the Commissioner's Cup, are 1-3 (win-loss) and currently running on fumes. And as it often occurs when adversity strikes, emotions are strained and relationships get tested.
READ Perkins sits out Phoenix game against RoS due to concussion
Jason Perkins is reportedly "unhappy" with his coach, his usage and the team's 25 percent winning percentage in the ongoing Philippine Cup, multiple sources told me.
This is where the line between Marites and malpractice gets icy thin.
The easy thing to do is dismiss the claims but since Perkins is the team's anchor, his mood is a news story, so I went to work with my journalistic shovel and dug whatever facts I can unearth.
Apparently, the tension began last March 10 when Phoenix flamed out against Ginebra, 102-92, at the Araneta Coliseum. Perkins played only 28 minutes in that loss and barely saw action in the fourth quarter.
KNEE ISSUES.
When I asked coach Jamike Jarin about it, he replied Perkins was held back because of "foul trouble."
But after I pointed out that Perk only had two fouls, Jarin added that "his knee was swelling kaya we are managing him."
As for Perkins' lack of joy, a Phoenix team executive who requested anonymity sent this clarification via text message: "Must have been misconstrued or emotionally charged. It was a big game and we lost in the end. Normal for emotions to flair."
Fair enough. But such outburst from a nice guy like Perk, whom I once interviewed last September 2022, could be symptomatic of a bigger issue.
NOT THE CASE.
"I have a great professional and personal relationship with Perk. He is very happy with Phoenix and with me. Super close kami," Jarin clarified.
Through his agent, Marvin Espiritu, the Fil-Am from Minnesota said "he is cool with Jamike."
Last December, Perkins signed a three-year max contract extension worth "the market value of a superstar in a big team," his reps told me.
And rightly so. Perk is the face of the franchise, easily their best player.
But money can't buy protection from misery.
And there's plenty at Phoenix right now. Three starters aren't playing, including Perk whose knee hasn't been cleared by doctors yet. Jarin's ongoing contract talks is another thing. And then of course, the 1-3 record.
The meter on Perkins' happiness scale may or may not be a big deal.
You be the judge.
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