Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Tyler Tio in the PBA quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Phoenix refuses to be discouraged by its failed chance at finishing Meralco in a triple-overtime quarterfinal affair and being forced to a sudden death match in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“That’s why you worked hard in the eliminations, to get that twice-to-beat advantage and have the luxury that if you don’t get it on the first try, you have another chance to get it,” coach Jamike Jarin said as the Fuel Masters face the Bolts in Sunday’s lone game set 6:30 p.m. at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The season’s first game at the Pasay City showplace will determine which gets to right to face top seed Magnolia in a best-of-five semifinal series that starts in three days.
The other half of the semifinal bracket will feature Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer. The young Fuel Masters, traditionally a team languishing in the bottom half of the standings, won eight of 11 elimination round games to secure the quarterfinal bonus.
Phoenix lost 116-107 after the 14th triple-overtime game in PBA history despite leading by a high of 15 and having control much of the latter part of regulation until Chris Newsome’s three at the end of regulation play saved Meralco from an early exit.
Meralco, which is looking for a seventh Final Four appearance in the last eight conferences, has the advantage in experience and has overcome a pair of twice-to-win predicaments in past quarterfinals, including one against Phoenix when the latter still had Calvin Abueva in the PBA 2018 Governors’ Cup.
But being on the flip side of the marathon duel may benefit the Fuel Masters, with a win allowing the youthful core to compete in more meaningful games, something players like Tyler Tio have experienced as collegiate standouts but not as professional cagers.
“It was really heartbreaking, but we cannot cry over spilled milk,” said Jarin. “We just have to concentrate on what worked for us and concentrate on what we need to improve on.”
Import Johnathan Williams, who played 62 minutes and is described as the team’s “silent leader,” will be at the forefront of the Fuel Masters’ quest to secure the franchise’s third-ever semifinal appearance while hoping for main local guy Jason Perkins to log heavy minutes.
Perkins curiously didn’t see much action in overtime, with Jarin saying that he had been cramping up.
Another victory would allow Meralco to extend a campaign that started on a bright note as among the top teams of the eliminations, only to end up outside of the top four after a late swoon that included a loss to Phoenix in a game that eventually decided the twice-to-beat.