The Phoenix Fuelmasters dominated both ends of the court to destroy the skidding TNT Ka Tropa, 112-82, in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup today, August 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Fuelmasters mauled the KaTropa with their pressure defense then scored almost at will at the offensive end to post the lopsided victory.
Jason Perkins led the Phoenix onslaught with 22 points and five rebounds to win the Bida Player of the Game.
Calvin Abueva converted a layup to cap a 10-2 Phoenix start in the fourth which hiked the Fuelmasters lead to 37 points, 95-58, with 8:41 to go in the game. Matthew Wright then virtually settled the outcome of the game by drilling a triple which increased the Fuelmasters lead to 41 points, 100-59, with seven minutes to play.
Phoenix improved to three wins against a single loss. The Alaska Aces (3-0) are alone at the top of the standings. Trailing them are Magnolia Pambansang Manok (1-0) and the Blackwater Elite (1-0).
The other teams include the NLEX Road Warriors (3-1), the Meralco Bolts (1-2), TNT KaTropa (1-4), the NorthPort Batang Pier (0-2) and the Columbian Dyip (0-3).
The San Miguel Beermen and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters have not yet played. Defending champion Barangay Ginebra is playing its first game against the Dyip as we went to press.
The Fuelmasters, who lead from the start, started their demolition in the third.
RJ Jazul drilled a three-pointer to push Phoenix to fat 31-point, 78-47 advantage with 3:51 to go in the third quarter.
Seldom used Alfrancis Tamsi gave TNT an unexpected lift. He drilled back-to-back three-pointers, plus a bonus free throw to cut the Phoenix lead to 29 points, 85-56, after three quarters.