Jason Perkins and three others picked up the cudgels for scoring leader Matthew Wright and carried the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters to a 97-74 smothering of Terrafirma Dyip on Friday in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Perkins unloaded 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists for the Fuel Masters, who picked up their first victory in three matches.
Wright, who averages 19 points, was limited all afternoon to just 11 points as the Dyip’s defense focused on him. But he had 10 rebounds and four assists.
With the Javee Mocon, RJ Jazul and Encho Serrano coming forward on behalf of Wright, the Fuel Masters unravelled a decisive 14-4 run in the second period to grab a big 44-24 halftime lead.
Joseph Gabayni tallied 16 points and nine boards for the winless Dyip, who dropped behind in the standings with their third straight loss.
Coach Topex Robinson said his players learned a lot from their setback to Meralco, 98-109 , last week.
“Lessons were learned from our game with Meralco in how to really stick together when the going gets tough. We knew from the start that they won’t allow Matthew to score, given the defense that they gave Matthew. But as long as we’re moving the ball and we’re playing good basketball, we have a chance to win,” said Robinson.
Mocon, Jazul and Serrano each had 10 points for the Fuel Masters, who widened a 18-14 lead off a 14-4 blast, which Aljun Melecio capped with a three-pointer in the 5:57 mark of the second period to give Phoenix a 32-19 spread.
Defense limited the Dyip to 10 points in the second canto, pushing the Fuel Masters to a 20-point edge off Serrano’s two freebies, 44-24, at halftime.
