The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup held its penultimate play date on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, and it featured a no-bearing game between the Phoenix Fuel Masters and Blackwater Bossing and a critical tiff pitting the Magnolia Hotshots and TNT Tropang 5G. Here’s what happened:
Phoenix Thwarts Blackwater Behind Big Games from Jason Perkins, Ken Tuffin
Jason Perkins and Ken Tuffin delivered career-games to power the Phoenix Fuel Masters to a 124-109 triumph over the Blackwater Bossing in a battle of also-ran squads.
Perkins led the way with his career-best 39 points, while Ken Tuffin fired his own career-high with 29 points on top of 14 boards. Tyler Tio and Kai Ballungay offered the duo plenty of help, with Tio dropping 14 points and 9 assists and Ballungay adding 14 points and 14 rebounds to conclude a superb rookie season.
Phoenix sizzled from the get-go, building a 39-19 lead right at the first quarter behind Perkins and Tuffin. The Fuel Masters extended the lead to 78-53 in the third before holding off every Blackwater rally—the last of which got the Bossing to within 105-95 in the fourth.
Richard Escoto paced Blackwater with a conference-high 20 points, while RK Ilagan and Sedrick Barefield added 18 and 13, respectively. The Bossing ended their campaign at 2-9, just a win above Terrafirma Dyip. Phoenix, on the other hand, ended up at 4-7.
The scores:
Phoenix (124) – Perkins 32, Tuffin 29, Tio 14, Ballungay 14, Garcia 6, Rivero 5, Verano 5, Camacho 5, Jazul 4, Alejandro 3, Salado 0, Ular 0, Daves 0, Manganti 0
Blackwater (109) – Escoto 20, Ilagan 18, Barefield 13, Mitchell 9, Tratter 9, David 8, Guinto 6, Ayonayon 5, Andrade 5, Mallilin 5, Chua 4, Caperal 3, Jopia 2, Casio 2, Cortez 0
Magnolia Survives TNT, Secures Twice-to-Beat Advantage
Zavier Lucero gave the Magnolia Hotshots a little bit of everything and Rafi Reavis provided the inspiration to help Magnolia eke out an 88-83 victory and secure a twice-to-beat slot for the playoffs.
Lucero was spectacular all game long, dropping 24 points on top of 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. Will Navarro ably backstopped Lucero, playing his best game so far for Magnolia with 13 points and 4 rebounds as a starter. Mark Barroca added 11 markers to go along his 6 caroms, 4 dimes, and 2 steals.
The Hotshots also got a big lift from 25-year veteran Rafi Reavis, who came off the Magnolia bench and contributed 4 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block. He was also right in the middle of a telling 16-0 run in the fourth that gave the Hotshots a 13-point cushion, providing veteran leadership and great defense while Lucero, Aris Dionisio, and Rome dela Rosa fired crucial baskets.
RR Pogoy paced TNT with 18 points, while Calvin Oftana (15), Poy Erram (12), Jordan Heading (12), and Kelly Williams (10) all scored at least 10. With the loss, their second in a row after a 97-78 blowout to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the Tropang 5G will finish either sixth or seventh and will go to the playoffs with a twice-to-win disadvantage.
The scores:
Magnolia (88) – Lucero 24, Navarro 13, Barroca 11, Sangalang 9, Lee 7, Dionisio 7, Dela Rosa 7, Lastimosa 6, Reavis 4, Laput 0, Alfaro 0
TNT (83) – Pogoy 18, Oftana 15, Erram 12, Heading 12, Williams 10, Khobuntin 7, Aurin 7, Galinato 2, Varilla 0, Enciso 0, Vosotros 0, Heruela 0
2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup Continues
The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup will play the final two games of the elimination round on Sunday, and there will be playoff implications. In the first game, the San Miguel Beermen will look to secure a top two seed when they take on the NorthPort Batang Pier. In the second game, both Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters will battle for a top four spot.
