The Phoenix Fuel Masters are closing in on a second straight playoff appearance under Charles Tiu after securing their fourth win in five games—a 102-93 victory over the Blackwater Bossing on Tuesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Tiu isn’t surprised by the run, pointing out that his squad firmly believes it can win every game, or at the very least compete. Still, the young coach has one clear plea for his team: avoid undoing their own hard work.
“We [coaching staff] just ask them to compete every game, and so far we’ve been competing this conference. All we ask is to give ourselves a chance to win. Don’t self-destruct,” Tiu told reporters after Phoenix’s latest win at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. “Don’t do silly things that will cost us the game, and we’ve been doing it game by game. I still think we’ve been catching a lot of breaks, and you know, we just can’t relax…”
Phoenix has been in strong form, with the only blemish on its record a 105-98 loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Charles Tiu, Phoenix Wary of the “Big Boys”
Phoenix sits in Group B—the so-called Group of Death—and while optimism is warranted, caution remains. The Fuel Masters still have to face champion sides Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Meralco Bolts, perennial semifinalists Rain or Shine, and the ever-dangerous Magnolia Hotshots.
“Step by step, we [will] just take it one game at a time, and we [will] try to get as many wins as we can because the teams are gonna catch up,” Tiu warned. “Ginebra is always gonna be there for sure. Rain or Shine is always a semifinalist and so is Meralco. We’re trying to just find a way to sneak in. We’re one of the younger teams, so hopefully we can continue to play this way. But I still think we can get better, and we have to get better.”
There is indeed room for growth. Gian Mamuyac is still adjusting after his surprise trade, Kai Ballungay has yet to fully recover from injury, and Ricci Rivero continues to search for consistency. Even so, the progress being made is undeniable.
The Fuel Masters now have a week’s rest before returning to action on August 5, when they face the Bossing once again—this time at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
