Phoenix is sticking with the positives despite the sloppy start to the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, falling to 0-2 without star forward Jason Perkins.
“It’s like we’re missing a voice out there.”
This was how Kai Ballungay described Phoenix’s first two games in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
The Fuel Masters have missed the services of main man Jason Perkins early in the All-Filipino, which already put Phoenix down to a 0-2 start. According to team manager Paolo Bugia, Perkins is feeling under the weather.
[RELATED STORY: Jason Perkins sorely missed by Phoenix in first two games; Team official explains absence]
“On the court its like we’re missing a voice out there. He’s our leader, the anchor to this team,” said the rookie Ballungay after their 92-83 loss to Converge on Sunday, April 6.
“We just gotta pick up the slack. Communication needs to be better… We’re gonna get him back soon and hopefully we can turn this around.”
[ALSO READ: Atienza confident as FiberXers step up to the plate in injured Jordan Heading’s absence]
In Perkins’ stead, the former Ateneo forward stepped up the plate, winding up with 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Fuel Masters.
His efforts, though proved futile.
But Ballungay and the rest of the Fuel Masters are staying positive they will right the ship in time for their next game against defending champion Meralco on Sunday, April 13.
“I think we just gotta stay positive and keep pushing forward and learn from these losses and apply to our next games,” he said.
[ALSO READ: Meralco gunner Allein Maliksi out for PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup]