Jason Perkins played his most productive game in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup as Phoenix Super LPG finally barged into the win column following a 108-97 win over winless NorthPort Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
One of the remaining key players who made a deep run in the playoffs in the league’s first-ever bubble tournament three years ago, Perkins rediscovered his solid game, coming away with 26 points.
Import Du’Vaughn Maxwell also tallied 26 to go along with 11 rebounds and six assists in another all-around performance.
“It has to be a team effort for everybody. It’s tough getting our first win since we’re missing Javee Mocon due to an injury,” said Phoenix Super LPG coach Jamike Jarin, who finally notched his first win as a PBA coach.
Mocon just underwent a procedure to remove bone spurs on his knee and will be out for a few more weeks.
But with Perkins stepping up, the Fuel Masters hardly missed the services of their shooting forward as Phoenix picked up its first win in four games.
The loss was the fourth straight in as many games for the Batang Pier, who sank deeper in the cellar.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer guns for a share of the lead when it takes on Terrafirma today at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Beermen breezed past their first two opponents with ease and look to add the Dyip to their growing list of victims in the first game at 3 p.m. right before the main game pitting TNT and Magnolia, two consistent performers, but are coming off separate losses.
Magnolia and TNT collide at 5:45 p.m. as the Hotshots look to make it to the win column after they were derailed by Converge, 111-109, on Sunday.
For the Tropang Giga, their 110-108 loss to NLEX was a bitter pill to swallow as they squandered a 15-point lead.
The absence of Calvin Oftana, who was placed under health and safety protocols for the past two games, was clearly felt by the Tropang Giga, particularly in the endgame.
With Mikey Williams struggling all game long and being limited to his lowest output of two points in his PBA career, and Jayson Castro unable to deliver a field goal during the fourth period, the Tropang Giga were searching for a go-to-guy, a role perfect for somebody like Oftana.
TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa confirmed to Daily Tribune that Oftana has been cleared to play.
The Scores:
PHOENIX (108) — Perkins 26, Maxwell 26, Jazul 15, Manganti 13, Tio 8, Garcia 6, Serrano 6, Muyang 2, Lojera 2, Lalata 2, Soyud 1, Adamos 0, Alejandro 0, Camacho 0, Go 0.
NORTHPORT (97) — Weathers 28, Salado 15, Dela Cruz 12, Munzon 8, Chan 7, Tolentino 6, Sumang 5, Balagasay 5, Calma 2, Zamar 2, Taha 2, Caperal 2, Ayaay 0.
QUARTERS: 23-25, 55-46, 86-71, 108-97.