Perkins, Chua stood tall for Phoenix as it survives NorthPort rally to go 2-0

Phoenix Super LPG got a huge game from its lefty frontline as he and the Fuel Masters go 2-0 in the PBA Philippine Cup after a 110-105 nailbiter over NorthPort Thursday evening at the AUF Arena in Pampanga.

Coach Topex Robinson was glad that forward Jason Perkins and slotman Justin Chua backed up resident sniper Matthew Wright, with Phoenix leaned once again to their three-point shooting en route to share the lead in the standings with Talk 'N Text.

Despite the apparent ceiling disadvantage against the Batang Pier frontline led by Christian Stanhardinger, the Ateneo-La Salle southpaw combo hold their fort from both ends of the floor.

Perkins fired a double-double of 31 points and 12 rebounds, including 4/7 from deep, with Chua pitching in 17 points and added three blocks, with Phoenix rejected more shots than NorthPort, 12-1.

Wright himself had 23, a drop of 13 from their opening win against Meralco but he and Chua hit the key shots down the stretch with three key triples in the fourth, a part of their 39% (17/43) shooting from beyond the arc.

NorthPort tried a late surge down the strech but their poor free throw shooting (25/42) doomed them in the endgame, wasting Sean Anthony's triple double of 23 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as they fell with a share at the cellar with Alaska and NLEX with an identical 0-2 card.

The scores:

Phoenix 110 -- Perkins 31, Wright 23, Chua 17, Jazul 10, Heruela 9, Rios 8, Intal 5, Napoles 4, Marcelo 3, Garcia 0, Reyes 0

NorthPort 105 -- Stanhardinger 28, Anthony 23, Lanete 17, Ferrer 14, Taha 7, Nabong 6, Elorde 4, Revilla 2, Guinto 2, Cruz 2, Subido 0, Manganti 0

Quarter scores: 23-23, 55-51, 83-77, 110-105

PHOTO: PBA