By Adrian Stewart Co

Free throws by Jason Perkins gave the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters a 98-96 win over NorthPort Batang Pier in the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup last Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Down 93-96 after a three-point play by Batang Pier’s Juan Nicholas Elorde, the Fuel Masters came up with a basket from Justin Chua and a free throw by Alex Mallari to force a 96-96 deadlock. Batang Pier had a chance to take the lead but Moala Tautuaa misfired two free throws. Sean Anthony’s triple was then nullified due to an offensive foul, which resulted in the Fuel Masters surging ahead on Perkins’ two free throws.

Matthew Wright led Phoenix with 22 points, including four triples; Chua added 19 points and nine rebounds; while Calvin Abueva and Perkins scored 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Following a close first half, the Fuel Masters came up with a strong run in the third quarter behind Wright and Chua to build a lead as high as 13 points, but Batang Pier quickly rallied to come back within four.

Batang Pier took a three-point edge several times in the fourth period but the Fuel Masters answered back with timely shots from Chua and RJ Jazul to force a 93-93 tie./ASC, WDJ