Phoenix’s JC Intal takes a shot against Alaska’s Cyrus Baguio. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia is trying his best to prepare his wards for the upcoming 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup, but he says that it hasn’t been the same without his leader JC Intal on the court.
“We really miss JC,” he shared.
Vanguardia shared that his 32-year-old swingman has been dealing with bone spurs in his right ankle, limiting him to a spectator in the Fuel Masters’ practices.
“We really miss his leadership and scoring kasi kailangan din namin ng additional weapon sa loob. We know JC is considered the franchise player, so kailangan talaga namin sya,” he said.
Despite Intal’s absence, Vanguardia is happy to see his imports Marcus Simmons and Lee Kwan Hee step up to the plate.
“Buti na lang napupunan din ng mga imports yung kawalan ni JC,” he noted. “They’re both two way players and gusto ko yung aggressiveness nila. Parehas silang defensive stopper.”
That also bodes with the rise of the Fuel Masters’ new acquisitions in Mark Cruz and Simon Enciso. The rookies have been good as advertised for Phoenix, and Vanguardia could only gush over the potential the two young guns present for his crew.
With the season-ending conference drawing closer, Vanguardia remains positive but is keeping his cards to close to his chest as he hopes to make a splash in his first conference as a lead mentor in the PBA.
“We’ll take it one game at a time kahit ang target namin is to make it to the next level,” he said.
“Tingnan muna namin paano ang magiging takbo ng sistema namin. Di muna kami concerned kung saan ang mararating namin basta game-by-game lang muna.”