By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Phoenix Fuel Masters halted a four-game losing skid with a 118-107 victory over the NorthPort Batang Pier in a battle of also-ran teams in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday night, June 4.
Negrense Raul Soyud provided quality minutes, finishing with four points, on 2-of-2 field goal shooting, to go with four rebounds as the Fuel Masters improved to a 3-7 win-loss slate.
Jason Perkins led the way with 26 points, including four three-point conversions.
Kai Ballungay added 17 markers. Kenneth Tuffin and Ricci Rivero contributed 14 points each, while RJ Jazul ended with 10 markers for Phoenix.
“We got off a good start in the game, and we are glad that we got the victory,” Fuel Masters head coach Jamike Jarin said after the game.
“Even if we are already out, we are just being professionals here,” he said.
“Like what I told the team earlier, the most important game for us is the next game. So we will just prepare for it even if we do not already have a chance to move forward,” he added.
Joshua Munzon top-scored with 32 points. Calvin Abueva added 18 markers in his Batang Pier debut, while Damie Cuntapay contributed 15 as they fell to a 1-8 win-loss record.
Meanwhile, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters survived an upset try by the Terrafirma Dyip for a 94-85 victory.
Leading by as many as 18 points late in the third quarter at 73-55, the Painters saw their cut to as low as three points at 78-81 by a furious fourth-quarter rampage by the Dyip.
However, the Painters responded with six straight points from Andrei Caracut, a split free throw from Caelan Tiongson, and a three-pointer from Jhonard Clarito to seal the win.
Clarito top-scored for the Painters with 12 points.
Caracut added 11 markers, while Francis Escandor, Anton Asistio and Leonard Santillan chipped in 10 markers apiece as they improved to a 6-3 record./ASC, WDJ
PHOENIX 118 — Perkins 26, Ballungay 17, Tuffin 14, Rivero 14, Jazul 10, Tio 9, Verano 8, Garcia 5, Soyud 4, Cullar 4, Manganti 3, Ular 2, Camacho 2, Daves 0, Alejandro 0.
NORTHPORT 107 — Munzon 32, Abueva 18, Cuntapay 15, Flores 9, Bulanadi 8, Jalalon 7, Nava 6, Balanza 4, Taha 3, Kwekuteye 2, Yu 2, Nelle 0, Onwubere 0.
Quarterscores: 30-28, 56-51, 82-80, 118-107.