The Charles Tiu era is off to a great start after the Phoenix Fuel Masters survived the Magnolia Hotshots on Friday. And leading the way was import James Dickey III, who filled the stat sheet with 20 points, 26 rebounds, and 5 assists. Crucially, he was a ball of energy from the opening tip to the final buzzer, while also being a voice of reason—especially when the Hotshots were threatening.
From the looks of it, that’s exactly what James Dickey III will be bringing to the floor for Phoenix in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Every. Single. Time.
“It’s just who I am. I think that’s why Coach Charles signed me as the import,” Dickey told reporters after Phoenix’s win. “He kinda told me when he signed me that he needs my energy, the team needs my energy, and that’s what I like to do naturally. It’s just who I am. I don’t know what the stats will look like every night, but I’m gonna bring the energy.”
“That’s what I like to do, and it’s kinda like my super power.”
Charles Tiu Raves About James Dickey III
That Dickey is now at Phoenix is no accident. Charles Tiu had done his due diligence on the 6-foot-10 American, who won a title with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel import Justin Brownlee when they played for Pelita Jaya in the Indonesian Basketball League in 2024.
“I consulted guys like Brownlee and C-Mac [Chris McCullough], na teammates ni James, and I said I need a guy that’s a good guy, a guy that has a good attitude,” Tiu recounted. “So far he’s been great. I have no complaints. He brings the guys together, he doesn’t complain. He doesn’t care if he doesn’t get the ball. He’s just an all-around team guy, and I like having that for my import. It makes it easier and more fun to coach.”
One game in, and it’s certainly so far, so good for James Dickey III and the Fuel Masters. In fact, they looked like a match made in heaven against Magnolia. And if that continues, Phoenix could be looking at some good things to come.
