Eyeing redemption, Fuel Masters staying sharp amid PBA hiatus

Phoenix head coach Louie Alas at the bench. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—It can be said that Phoenix bit off more than it can chew when it topped the elimination round of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.

Finishing with a league-best 9-2 record in the first conference, the Fuel Masters had all the momentum for a potential title run but eventual champion San Miguel doused their hopes.

Phoenix was looking to bounce back in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, but with the league now in hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, Alas and his team still continue to get ready using the tools available.

“During the crisis, we gave the players conditioning programs through Viber, lots of film via Telegram, and edited defensive and offensive schemes to refresh them,” said Alas in a report from PBA.ph.

The Philippine Cup was only a game-old when the league suspended play due to the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon that was implemented to curb the spread of the virus.

Alas admitted the team is necessarily aiming to become the top seed, but getting into the third to sixth spots is more of their groove.

“Our primary goal is to qualify for the playoffs first,” said Alas. “Hopefully in the middle of the pack to play in the best-of-three quarterfinals, from third to sixth.”

Calvin Abueva is still serving his indefinite suspension while star guard Matthew Wright is still recovering from his own health issues.

“We were below par in our preseason tune-up games. Most of the time, our three and four guys didn’t suit up because of injuries. But we’re hoping Calvin will play during the conference.”