End of sleepless nights for Vanguardia, Phoenix

Phoenix head coach Ariel Vanguardia. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

There’s nothing like going back to your roots to hit the restart button.

Returning to his old stomping grounds at Filoil Flying V Centre, coach Ariel Vanguardia got a much needed boost as Phoenix scored a 94-90 win over Meralco on Wednesday.

“This arena brings back a lot of memories,” he said. “I have won a lot of wars here so we thought, ‘Lets try to win this one.'”

READ: Wright gets hot as Phoenix stuns Meralco

Coaching Jose Rizal University from 2006 to 2009, Vanguardia said that the Arena in San Juan truly holds a special place in his heart.

This is like our home court because it’s just near JRU. We’re always here practicing especially when the JRU court was still being constructed. I have so much memories here.”

And what a great timing it was for the 44-year-old mentor.

With his side coming off back-to-back blowout losses, Vanguardia knew the Fuel Masters are desperate for a win especially after losing their last two games by an average of 31.5 points. They was a 44-point humbling from Star, 123-79, followed by a 19-point beatdown from TNT, 117-98.

READ: Baguio hopes Phoenix wakes up from ’embarrassing’ skid

And the team responded well, with Matthew Wright catching fire as he uncorked 17 of his 23 points in the fourth to deliver the skid-busting win.

Former Heavy Bombers John Wilson (seven points and five rebounds) and Marvin Hayes (four points and two rebounds) also provided quality minutes off the bench for Phoenix, as it evened its record at 3-3 and allowed Vanguardia to finally breathe that sigh of relief.

“I’m just relieved. It was like sleepless nights for all of us,” he said.

“Fortunately, the ghosts here at the Arena favored us.”