The Magnolia Hotshots secure a twice-to-beat advantage with a hard-fought 88-83 win against the TNT Tropang 5G. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Fuel Masters blew a 25-point lead but hung on to beat the Blackwater Bossings 124-109 on June 13.
Top Performers of the Day:
Zavier Lucero (MAG PF) 24 PTS | 8 REB | 3 STL | 52.1 FPS
Lucero continues to dominate on offense and has scored at least 23 points in back-to-back games. His all-around game is just as impressive, with another 3-steal performance (his third this conference) and a career-high 5 assists.
Kenneth James Tuffin (PHX SF) 29 PTS | 14 REB | 1 STL | 49.8 FPS
Tuffin played a big part in the team’s first-quarter rally, scoring 11 points and providing a lot of hustle. He carried that momentum throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 9-of-11 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line. It was the best scoring and rebounding performance of his career.
Jason Perkins (PHX PF) 39 PTS | 4 REB | 5 AST | 44.3 FPS
Perkins is a solid threat from everywhere in the court, erupting for 22 points in a highly efficient shooting in the first half. He finished with his career-best in scoring and his fifth game in this conference with at least 26 points.
Regile Kent Ilagan (BWB PG) 18 PTS | 9 AST | 2 STL | 41.3 FPS
Ilagan led the team’s fightback, hitting multiple threes and setting up his teammates. He finished 4-for-7 from the perimeter along with his best playmaking game of the season.
Calvin John Oftana (TNT PF) 15 PTS | 8 REB | 4 AST | 36.6 FPS
Oftana has been in an offensive slump lately, and it hit a new low against the Hotshots as he shot just 2-of-10 from inside the arc. It marked his third game in the last four where he scored 15 points or fewer—a far cry from his explosive performance against the same team in the Commissioner’s Cup, where he erupted for 42 points on 9-of-14 shooting from three.
John Paul Erram (TNT C) 12 PTS | 9 REB | 4 BLK | 34.8 FPS
Erram was a force inside the paint, grabbing 4 offensive rebounds and giving the team a much-needed boost in scoring. Defensively, he made a huge difference, finishing with his fourth game in this conference with at least 3 blocks.
Roger Ray Pogoy (TNT SG) 18 PTS | 7 REB | 2 STL | 29.9 FPS
Pogoy has cooled off offensively over his last three games after posting 34 points in back-to-back outings. However, with several key players sidelined, the team will need him to step up and be a bigger offensive presence in the playoffs.
Andy Mark Barroca (MAG PG) 11 PTS | 6 REB | 4 AST | 29.2 FPS
Barroca is still having problems with his offense, but he continues to contribute in a lot of ways.
Biggest Disappointment of the Day:
Kelly Williams 10 PTS | 2 3PM | 2 REB
Williams opened the game with two straight three-pointers but wasn’t much of a factor for most of the game. He has scored in double-digits thrice in his last four, but the team will need him to elevate his game in the playoffs.
