Rise or crash for Phoenix
The overtime magic gone along with its unbeaten run, Phoenix Pulse tries to get back on track in its bid for a premium slot in the quarterfinals when the 2019 Philippine Cup resumes this Wednesday after close to a two-week break.
The Fuel Masters get going anew against the NorthPort Batang Pier then return two days later to tackle the Alaska Aces, who are hoping their four injured mainstays would be well enough to see action after missing their first three outings.
The back-to-back assignments come on the heels of the 98-94 overtime loss Rain or Shine pinned on Phoenix last Feb. 10 and stopped the Fuel Masters’ record five-game streak that started with victories in extra period over Meralco and TNT KaTropa.
Phoenix dropped to second at 5-1 behind Rain or Shine, which boosted its leading card to 7-1 and now seemed a cinch to secure the No. 1 seed in the quarterfinals.
While the Fuel Masters remained in the race for the No. 2 ranking that will also get a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals, Phoenix faces three more formidable rivals after Friday’s date with Alaska.
Magnolia, runner-up here last year and the 2018 Governors’ Cup champion, faces Phoenix on March 6. It will be Barangay Ginebra’s turn on March 10 then defending champion San Miguel Beer on March 16.
The Beermen, shooting for a record fifth consecutive title here, have since recovered from an early, ego-deflating 124-118 upset from lowly Columbian to stay in contention for a top two spot at 4-3.
Aside from Phoenix, SMB takes on relatively easy foes NLEX, NorthPort and Alaska in its remaining schedule.
Still with a shot at the two premium slots are Ginebra
(3-2) and TNT (3-3) even as Magnolia faces the prospect of scrambling hard to join the eight-team qualifying cast after dropping its first three games.
The kickoff event of the pro league’s 44th season took a break after Feb. 13 as the Philippine five competed in the sixth and final window of the Fiba Asia World Cup 2019 qualifiers. The national team was playing Kazahkstan late Sunday night in Astana.
