In control against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel for much of the game on Sunday, the Phoenix Fuel Masters still found themselves holding on for dear life down the stretch—unable to breathe a sigh of relief until Jeremiah Gray’s desperation four-pointer missed the mark.
In the end, the Fuel Masters notched their third straight win to open their PBA Governors’ Cup campaign, and they had to work for it in regulation.
Phoenix’s Learning Experience
It was a close call, to say the least, and for Phoenix rising star Ricci Rivero, these are the kinds of games the Fuel Masters need to get used to real quick because—well—they just aren’t used to such cardiac finishes.
“Big learning experience for us,” Rivero acknowledged as he spoke with reporters after the game. “I would say we’re not used to close games, but we have to be. We have to learn from this kasi if you want to be one of the better teams in the league, kelangan malampasan namin ‘yung mga ganun.”
Phoenix got past Ginebra on Sunday, all right, but it nearly squandered a 19-point lead in part due to 21 turnovers—8 of which were courtesy of Rivero himself—and some missed free throws down the stretch. Only Ginebra’s atrocious shooting kept the Fuel Masters from a complete collapse, as the crowd darlings just couldn’t make the shots that would’ve turned the game in their favor.
Gian Mamuyac Makes Presence Felt
One player who could definitely help Rivero and the Fuel Masters finish close games better is Gian Mamuyac, whom Phoenix acquired recently for a first-round draft pick. He put up just 6 points and 3 assists, but Rivero knows what value Mamu brings to the table.
“Sa points, he didn’t take as many attempts lang, pero during the drought, siya ‘yung naka-shoot ng dalawang pull-up,” Rivero pointed out. “And [he’s] a very stable player and very experienced. We were telling him just take it. If you feel that you have it, just go for it. I trust the guy… alam ko he’s capable of making big plays.”
Those two pull-ups Rivero was alluding to—one to end the third quarter and another to open the fourth—came just as Ginebra was starting to conjure an uprising and getting the crowd into it. Those two jumpers also extended Phoenix’s lead back to 13, and the Fuel Masters needed every point of it.
Rivero and company survived. But there are certainly lessons to be learned.
