Without Jason Perkins, the Phoenix Fuel Masters dropped their second straight game in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
Wondering why Jason Perkins missed the first two games of Phoenix in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup?
It turned out he is still recovering from sickness.
Team manager Paolo Bugia bared this after the Fuel Masters bowed to Converge, 92-83, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Sunday, April 6.
[RELATED STORY: Converge blasts Phoenix for first win in PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup]
Bugia said Perkins has been feeling under the weather since Thursday, forcing the latter to sit out the squad's first two matches, beginning opening day last Friday where Phoenix succumbed to Terrafirma, 87-95.
“He’s under the weather. Few days before our first game, [we were assesing]. We’re hoping he would come back today (Sunday). At that point, akala namin baka Friday lang. Hindi na namin pinapasok siyempre kasi baka contagious pa siya,” said Bugia after the match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate.
The Phoenix forward was actually feeling better, but the staff advised him to just rest and regain full strength in time for their third game of the season-ending conference against Meralco on April 13.
“Pero now, he said he’s better, but still not a hundred percent. So we told him to take the rest,” Bugia said.
“We told him to take the week off. Come back na lang stronger.”
In Perkins' stead, rookie Kai Ballungay stepped up and delivered another impressive performance with his15 points, 12 rebounds, a steal and two blocks following a 30-15 outing.
But Ballungay's efforts once again proved futile.