Jimmy Alapag isn’t taking the Phoenix Fuel Masters lightly. After Sunday’s close 97-92 win, the NLEX Road Warriors might be wise to follow their coach’s lead.
The Road Warriors had to dig deep in Game 1 of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals clash with the Fuel Masters, as the latter simply refused to go away. In fact, Phoenix was within a basket of NLEX, 94-92, with less than a minute left in regulation and Ken Tuffin at the line for two freebies. Tuffin made the first and missed the second, and in the ensuing possession, Marcellus Earlington committed a flagrant foul on Enoch Valdez that all but sealed the game.
For a series that was supposed to be one-sided in favor of NLEX, Game 1 suggested something else entirely: maybe Phoenix can push the Road Warriors harder than pundits initially thought.
Alapag Isn’t Looking Past Phoenix
Postgame, Alapag made it a point to emphasize that his and NLEX’s sole focus now is beating Phoenix and Phoenix only. And he knows it won’t be that easy.
“Whatever happens with Rain or Shine [Elasto Painters] and Converge [FiberXers] isn’t our concern right now. We have our work cut out for us with Phoenix,” said Alapag in response to suggestions that the Road Warriors could have an easier path to the Finals compared to the teams in the other bracket. “I think every team in the playoffs is a quality opponent, and we have to make sure we’re respecting the game and respecting Phoenix. And they showed tonight they’re a quality opponent and they’ll force us to be better on Wednesday…”
Phoenix certainly looked like a quality team on Sunday, even winning several statistical battles, including rebounding (50-42), assists (17-9), and fast-break points (17-9). In the end, though, NLEX did just enough to prevent a Game 1 upset.
Alapag Identifies Key Adjustment to Make
After the win, Alapag already knew something the Road Warriors must be better at come Game 2 on Wednesday: limit their fouling and keep Phoenix off the charity stripe.
“I thought we handled the physicality well. But we just have to be a little bit more disciplined with ‘yung fouling,” Alapag stressed. “They took 28 free throws. We want to try to cut that number down going into Wednesday.”
Indeed, the Fuel Masters went 20-for-28 from the foul line in Game 1 as NLEX gave up 31 fouls. Gian Mamuyac and Tyler Tio alone took 16 freebies between them and made 11. The Road Warriors, in contrast, shot 17-for-22 from the line, with Phoenix committing 26 fouls.
That’s a difference of six free throws and five fouls, and Alapag doesn’t want a repeat of it in Game 2. It might be step one in getting better.
