Triumphant Phoenix rallies around JC Cullar after father’s death

JC Cullar still opts to play despite the tragic news of his father’s death abroad and helps Phoenix snap a four-game skid with a win over NorthPort

MANILA, Philippines – Already out of contention in the PBA Philippine Cup, Phoenix found an added motivation to win as the Fuel Masters rallied around JC Cullar.

Phoenix dedicated its 118-107 victory over NorthPort at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, June 4, to Cullar and his family after his father died abroad the day before.

Cullar, whose family is based in Rome, Italy, still opted to play despite the tragic news and turned in 4 points and 4 assists in the win that snapped the Fuel Masters’ four-game skid and hiked their record to 3-7.

“We feel for the family. It’s hard,” said Phoenix head coach Jamike Jarin. “I’m sure he wanted to be with his family, but he said he wanted to be with this family also here. And I’m sure his dad wanted him to play, so he played.”

“You have to give a shoutout to him. That’s hard. Our hearts go to the Cullar family.”

Jarin said he advised Cullar to immediately catch a flight to Italy, but the St. Benilde standout chose to stay and see action against the Batang Pier as a way to honor his father.

“[H]e said, ‘I have an obligation to my family here, to my Phoenix family.’ He said, ‘My dad would love to see me play.’ He got the earliest flight after our game. I just salute him for that,” said Jarin.

“If I was in his position, I wouldn’t even be able to move. You have to give a lot of credit, a lot of heart, to JC.”

Jason Perkins showed the way for the Fuel Masters with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, knocking down one big shot after the other in the fourth quarter to keep NorthPort at bay.

Perkins scored 13 points and went 3-of-3 from three-point land in the final frame as Phoenix spoiled the Batang Pier debut of Calvin Abueva.

“JC hasn’t been anything but positive and strong. I think that really inspired and motivated us today, like yesterday in practice, you wouldn’t be able to tell. He was in there getting shots up before and after,” Perkins said.

“He stayed positive and he works hard. Shoutout to JC and prayers to his family as well.”

Kai Ballungay chimed in 17 points and 9 rebounds for the Fuel Masters, while Kenneth Tuffin and Ricci Rivero contributed 14 points each.

Abueva, traded from Magnolia to NorthPort last week, had 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks in the losing effort that dropped the Batang Pier to 1-8.

Joshua Munzon paced NorthPort with 32 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals.

The Scores

Phoenix 118 – Perkins 26, Ballungay 17, Tuffin 14, Rivero 14, Jazul 10, Tio 9, Verano 8, Garcia 5, Soyud 4, Cullar 4, Manganti 3, Ular 2, Camacho 2, Daves 0, Alejandro 0.

NorthPort 107 – Munzon 32, Abueva 18, Cuntapay 15, Flores 9, Bulanadi 8, Jalalon 7, Nava 6, Balanza 4, Taha 3, Kwekuteye 2, Yu 2, Nelle 0, Onwubere 0.

Quarters: 30-28, 56-51, 82-80, 118-107.

– Rappler.com