By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters stayed unscathed in the PBA Philippine Cup, racing to their third straight win with a 108-98 victory over the Columbian Dyip on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Continued to find ways to extricate themselves amid a persistent challenge from their opponents all game long, the Fuel Masters (3-0) were not to be denied of the win that kept them at the top of the heap early in the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association tournament.
Columbian struggled to get its offense going early, seeing Phoenix, led by Jason Perkins and Calvin Abueva, build a 12-0 lead in the opening half of the first quarter.
The Dyip eventually found their footing but they would not be able to overhaul the Fuel Masters’ lead, finding themselves still down, 24-14, at the end of the opening 12 minutes.
Phoenix continued to dictate things to start the second period, stretching their lead to 18 points, 36-18, by the 8:23 mark of the frame.
Forward Eric Camson tried to rally the Dyip back only to have the Fuel Masters collectively keeping them at bay.
The count stood at 40-24, in favor of Phoenix, with seven minutes to go in the period before the dust settled at 53-47 by halftime with the Fuel Masters still ahead.
Matthew Wright took control for Phoenix to start the third even as Columbian rookie CJ Perez started to make his presence felt in the game.
The two teams jostled for control of the match but the Fuel Masters would not surrender control as it continues to lead, 76-60, with 4:53 in the frame.
Columbian fought hard after not to let its deficit balloon further, trailing by just 10 points, 82-72, heading into the final 12 minutes.
Got some momentum in the previous quarter, the Dyip rode on it to begin the fourth, coming to within five points, 82-77, in the opening two minutes.
Mr. Wright and veteran JC Intal kept Phoenix’s head above water with timely baskets that doused cold water on Columbian’s intense fight back.
The two teams fought to a 94-83 count with 6:13 left in the game.
It was a distance that Phoenix would keep in the next two minutes, 99-88.
The Dyip tried to make a claw their way back from there but no comeback would happen as the Fuel Masters stood firm to book the win.
Mr. Wright led Phoenix with 22 points with Mr. Abueva adding 16 points and nine rebounds.
Mr. Perkins finished with a double-double of 14 points and 11 boards while Mr. Intal had 13 points.
Guard LA Revilla had 12 points and seven assists for the Fuel Masters.
Rookie guard JP Calvo, meanwhile, had 18 points for Columbian, which dropped to 1-1.
Jackson Corpuz and Mr. Camson added 13 points each.
“This is our best start but there are still bad habits that we need to correct. Hopefully we get to add on these three wins in our next games,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas after their win.
