By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Phoenix Fuel Masters already inked superstar power forward Jason Perkins to a three-year maximum contract deal confirmed last December 20, 2023.
It was Phoenix team manager Paolo Bugia who confirmed the latest development in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
After a surprising 7-1 win-loss start despite having a young core group, the Fuel Masters made it known that they will be centering their team to Perkins who remained as the only senior member of their past playoff team handled by former head coach Topex Robinson.
Perkins was also tagged as a member of the Fuel Masters’ Big Three several years ago together with Matthew Wright and Calvin Abueva.
However, the core failed to make it into the PBA finals, resulting in Wright’s transfer from the PBA to the Japan B. League.
Meanwhile, Abueva, was shipped to the Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados and is still sidelined due to an injury.
Perkins is currently one of the squad’s locker room leaders and is averaging 12.57 points, 6.14 rebounds, and 1.43 assists per game.
The hefty leftie helped Phoenix shut their haters as numerous analysts predicted that they would suffer this Commissioner’s Cup due to the lack of firepower and veteran presence.
However, the Fuel Masters quickly got into a groove and is receiving consistent performances from Ricci Rivero, Tyler Tio, and Jayvee Mocon.
With their current impressive standing, the Fuel Masters are looking to secure a semifinal berth if they sweep their remaining games against San Miguel, Meralco, and TNT.
