Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
With Phoenix once again on the verge of a humiliating defeat, a veteran voice made sure the Fuel Masters would not go down as afterthoughts.
Cyrus Baguio, despite playing horribly in the first three quarters, played a huge role not only on the stat sheets but also in the Fuel Masters’ intangibles in their 101-99 victory over Globalport.
Baguio, a 13-year-veteran and winner of three titles, said Wednesday the Fuel Masters’ on-court communication was key when they rallied from 26 points down in the fourth quarter.
“Kanina pinag-uusapan namin ni Willie (Wilson), ‘anong nangyayari sa atin?’ kasi medyo nagkaka-problema sa depensa. (I was talking to Willie earlier and I told him, ‘what’s happening?’ because we were having problems with our defense),” said Baguio at Cuneta Astrodome. “Tahimik kasi sa loob, nakikita namin ni Willie na hindi nag-uusap kaya nung pinasok ako talagang nag huddle kami (They were quiet inside the court and Willie and I saw that they were not talking to each other so when I got inside I made sure that we would huddle up).”
“Sabi ko ‘tulung-tulong tayo, gawin natin lahat at mag-usap tayo (I told them that we should work together, let’s do everything right, and let’s talk).”
Baguio had a miserable shooting performance in the first three quarters, but he made up for it in the fourth where he scored all seven of his markers.
He converted just two of his nine attempts but those couple of shots came in an opportune time as it was in the latter part of Phoenix’ 40-12 game-closing run.
Baguio said the comeback is important to the growth of the team.
“At least na-feel din nung mga bago, lalo na mga rookies, na pag ganitong situation sanay na yung team (At least the new guys, especially the rookies, felt what it’s like to be in this situation),” said Baguio. “Konting effort pa and experience para gumanda pa yung team (This team just needs to give a little more effort and get a little bit of experience to improve).”