MONTALBAN – Phoenix dealt TNT a 95-81 beating on Friday night and sent the grand slam-seeking franchise reeling to its worst PBA start in the last 25 years.
The Fuel Masters sizzled right from the get-go behind a 58 percent shooting clip in the first quarter to take a 28-14 lead behind the hot shooting of Jason Perkins, Kenneth Tuffin, and Tyler Tio.
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And things appeared to be over just before the half when Phoenix’s lead ballooned to its biggest at 50-26 on its way to a second win in five outings in the season-ending Philippine Cup.
And TNT?
Coming off back-to-back championships in the first two conferences of the season, the Tropang 5G fell to their third straight loss for the first 0-3 start in franchise history since a similar record to kick off its campaign in the 2000 Philippine Cup, as per PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.
“We’re just taking our lessons from our losses. We’re just staying in the moment. The focus is on the next practice now. I always say you win some, you learn some. So lessons with every downfall. So we’re just going to move forward from here,” said Perkins, who led Phoenix with 27 points on a perfect 3-of-3 field goal shooting from downtown.
Tio added 16 points, Tuffin and Kai Ballungay with 11 each, while veteran guard RJ Jazul added 10 for the Fuel Masters, who shot a high 60 percent from deep (12-of-20).
Calvin Oftana again led TNT with 20 points in yet another losing cause. He also had nine rebounds and six assists.
Simon Enciso came off the bench to contribute 14 points spiked by 4 three-pointers, while Rey Nambatac, the Finals MVP of the last Commissioner’s Cup, also finished in double figures with 12 points, four rebounds, and five assists.
The Tropang 5G however, struggled with their shooting, hitting just 39 percent clip from the field (31-of-78).
The scores
Phoenix (95) - Perkins 27, Tio 16, Tuffin 11, Ballungay 11, Jazul 10, Garcia 8, Camacho 3, Manganti 3, Soyud 2, Verano 2, Ular 2, Rivero 0, Alejandro 0, Daves 0.
TNT (81) - Oftana 20, Enciso 14, Nambatac 12, Pogoy 10, Razon 6, Heruela 6, Khobuntin 5, Erram 4, Payawal 2, Galinato 2, Williams 0, Ebona 0, Aurin 0, Varilla 0.
Quarterscores: 28-14; 50-32; 73-55; 95-81.
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