Phoenix is on a tailspin early in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup as the Fuel Masters have lost their last three games.
Jason Perkins and the Phoenix Fuel Masters aim to finally snap their slump when they go up against the red-hot Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
The match starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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The Fuel Masters (1–4) are desperate to stop a three-game skid after suffering a heartbreaking 83–80 loss to Magnolia in their previous outing.
Phoenix fought back valiantly from a 14-point deficit but couldn’t get the breaks late in the game as the Hotshots held on for the win.
Perkins delivered a steady all-around performance, finishing with 19 points, five rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block. Sean Manganti added 10 points, while RJ Garcia chipped in nine.
Ricci Rivero, who exploded for a career-high 23 points in their last outing, was limited to just six this time around.
Despite their current struggles, the Fuel Masters should hope that their fighting spirit will eventually translate to wins as they continue to refine their chemistry and execution.
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However, it won’t be easy against Rain or Shine (4–1), which is on a three-game winning streak and currently shares the top spot with TNT and Magnolia.
The Elasto Painters are coming off a 106–91 victory over Terrafirma, fueled by Santi Santillan’s 26-point outburst.
For Phoenix, this matchup presents both a challenge and an opportunity — a chance to reclaim confidence and pull off an upset that could reignite their campaign in the Philippine Cup.
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and reviewed by editorial staff for accuracy.]