Jazul glad to step up for playoff-seeking Phoenix

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Frustrated with the way he played in Phoenix’s loss to Meralco on Wednesday, RJ Jazul knew he had to step up if he wants to help his team make a run in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

Luckily for him, he had enough time to refocus as he sought to bounce back strong on Friday against GlobalPort.

“That’s the good thing. Since it’s back-to-back games, you have a chance to redeem yourself quickly,” he said in Filipino.

And Jazul did, finishing with 21 markers on an 8-of-16 shooting from the field, on top of four boards to help Phoenix score the 84-72 triumph over the Batang Pier.

The veteran sniper highlighted the huge implications that comes in the game, saying that the whole Fuel Masters squad knew the sense of urgency they had to have when they faced GlobalPort.

“Our backs were against the wall,” he said. “Had we lost, we’ll fall further down the standings. So we needed this to separate us from the other teams.”

The victory kept Phoenix in the running with its 4-5 card, still holding on to the final playoff spot as they inch closer on securing a quarterfinal seat.

But for Jazul, he’s hoping that this run of his won’t be just a one-game wonder.

“I hope I could continue this. I just listened to my wife and kept on having that positive mindset. I hope that positive mindset continues to our final two games,” he said.

Phoenix now take a 17-day break before facing off against Mahindra on May 21, before wrapping things up against NLEX on May 27. /atm