PBA: Phoenix gets seed number 2, beats Rain or Shine

Jason Perkins of Phoenix. PBA PICTURES

MANILA, Philippines – Phoenix secured second place after struggling to beat Rain or Shine, 90-88, at the end of the Philippine Cup eliminations Wednesday night at the AUF Sports Arena & Cultural Center in Angeles, Pampanga.

The Fuel Masters rose 16 points in the fourth quarter behind Jason Perkins, who scored 10 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter.

Perkins, who hit 13 of 19 field goals and grabbed eight rebounds, hit the lead basket, 86-85, with 33.1 seconds left before Calvin Abueva’s trick extended it to 88-85 with 12.6 ticks to play. .

“Once again, getting the number is just a byproduct of what we’ve worked for,” said Phoenix head coach Topex Robinson. “We know that from now on it will be a great challenge for us.”

FINAL: Nambatac’s basket a little late. @fuelmasters def. @bayanngrosoffcl, 90-88!

Phoenix gains protection twice before beating in the quarterfinals.#PBAbubbleXInquirer@sonrdINQ pic.twitter.com/UFkjoYe9rQ

– INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) November 11, 2020

“If the teams don’t want to take number two, we will always take it, we will always fight for it. Whoever we face down the stretch, we will always make sure to do our best, ”added Robinson, whose team, armed with a two-time lead to beat, will face the dangerous Magnolia team in the quarterfinals.

The No. 7 Hotshots are the most popular team in the league after having won their last six games.

Javee Mocon missed a potential triple to tie the game for the Elasto Painters before Justin Chua hit two free throws to put the game out of reach with 4.2 seconds to go.

Chua posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Mocon had 13 points for the Painters, who will face top seed Barangay Geneva in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Read next

Don’t miss out on the latest news and information.

For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.