Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Ken Tuffin during a PBA Philippine Cup game. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines — Despite a forgettable PBA Season 49 run, Phoenix ended its Philippine Cup campaign with an exclamation point behind a remarkable game from Ken Tuffin.

Although not necessarily the Fuel Masters’ main gunner, Tuffin showed up big in the team’s last game of the season to push Phoenix past Blackwater, 124-109, at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday.

READ: PBA: Phoenix ends Philippine Cup stint with win over Blackwater

It may have been a lackluster season for the young Phoenix squad, but the 2024 PBA All-Rookie First Team member hopes they can ride their season-ending momentum into Season 50.

“[We’re] just trying to build good habits, I think, moving forward into the next season. We’re trusting each other. I think we had great assist numbers today as well,” said Tuffin.

“[I] wanted to take charge there. [I’m] happy that we got the win. It was awesome.”

Tuffin ended an otherwise tough season on a high note with a double-double of 29 points—his career high—and 14 rebounds.

The Far Eastern University product’s efforts paced the Fuel Masters to a 4-7 record in the all-Filipino conference.

Tuffin will surely work on his craft in the offseason, but before that, he’s set to embark on a new chapter in his life.

“Me, myself, I’m going to stay here. I think I’m getting married in October, so I might have some time off then.”

“We’ll see what happens. [I’ll] just stay here for now, get some time away from the game in a different scenery maybe and just come back ready to prepare whenever coach (Jamike Jarin) wants us to be back.”