The Charles Tiu era opened to some success in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup as the Phoenix Fuel Masters made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2024. They got trucked by eventual champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the quarterfinals, but the conference was by and large successful for a young team with a new coach.
Player Exits, Injuries Hounding Phoenix
Now, as Phoenix heads to the PBA Governors’ Cup, expectations have risen a bit, but Tiu is setting the bar lower this time around in part because of some unexpected player exits and nagging injuries hampering the team’s preparations this offseason.
“Medyo nag-adjust kami. We changed our philosophy. We’ll be playing more small-ball,” said Tiu after Phoenix lost big men Matthew Daves and Prince Caperal due to varying reasons.
That leaves Tiu with the returning Kai Ballungay, Jason Perkins, and rookie Will Gozum as his main bigs, with veteran Justin Chua brought in for additional help. The Fuel Masters are also looking at either Bradwyn Guinto or Rafi Reavis for more size just a few days before they play their first game in the final tournament of Season 50.
Compounding matters for Phoenix is the injury bug, the most concerning of which is Ricci Rivero’s nagging back problems. Rookies Dave Ando and Tony Ynot, along with Francis Escandor, are also dealing with injuries ahead of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Tiu Wants Phoenix to Compete Consistently
The situation in Phoenix has turned so problematic that, according to Tiu, the team sometimes practices with only 10 or 11 players available. Even so, the first-time PBA coach is still thankful that the injury bug hit Phoenix before the conference and not in the thick of the fight.
“We just have to have that next man up mentality. Some guys are hurt so other guys would be given the chance to prove themselves, play some heavy minutes,” said Tiu. “Let’s see how it translates.”
Phoenix opens its Governors’ Cup campaign on Saturday when it takes on the Magnolia Hotshots at the Ynares Center in Montalban. And as his team gets ready for its debut, Tiu has set very modest goals given the situation.
“My modest goal is to compete every night. I just want a team which believes we can win every game, bring it every night,” he said. “Last conference we made the playoffs, which is good kasi nga first time for quite some time. Pero up-and-down pa rin siya. We had some games na we looked really good, but we also had some games when we looked really bad. So, I’m really looking for some consistency…”
The Fuel Masters showed potential under Tiu the first time around. Now, he wants them to compete on a consistent basis.
It’s not an unreasonable request for a coach with championship pedigree.
