Now the hard part

Louie Alas is bracing for a really tough stretch for his Phoenix Pulse squad in the PBA Philippine Cup.

And how the Fuel Masters run this gauntlet will provide an idea of how deep they can go in the playoffs.

Alas and his team battle a rejuvenated Magnolia squad that has snapped out of a three-game slump and it is the first date in a three-match schedule where Phoenix will battle the league’s three champions last year.

“The heavyweights,” Alas said of his team’s last three elimination round games. “But I firmly believe that my players can win by playing defense.”

The Fuel Masters (7-1) try to keep their vise-like clamp on the lead with the hope of tabbing one of two twice-to-beat bonuses in the playoffs. But the Hotshots will enter the 7 p.m. duel having regained their confidence following a 92-86 breakthrough victory over the Meralco Bolts.

“What we’re eyeing for now is to take the first two spots to be able to put a foot in the semifinals,” Alas said.

Magnolia is the reigning Governors’ Cup champion. Phoenix’s last two games include Philippine Cup defending champion San Miguel Beer and Commissioner’s Cup champion Barangay Ginebra.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine—which lost its share of the top after a 100-92 loss to TNT last Sunday—takes on Columbian with the hopes of recharging its bid for a top-2 finish at the end of the elimination round and a playoff bonus as well.

The 3-5 Dyip (3-5) are walking on thin ice and are hoping for a perfect run in their final three games to punch their first quarterfinals ticket since 2015.

“We’re taking it one game at a time,” said Johnedel Cardel, whose Columbian is coming from a stunning loss to current league doormat Blackwater.

First win
Over at the D-League, Petron-Letran whipped AMA Online, 108-91, on Tuesday at Paco Arena in Manila.

Larry Muyang provided the spark for the Knights, nailing 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, to help his team into the win column.

Christian Fajarito added 15 points and seven rebounds while Jeo Ambohot contributed 14 points and 12 boards.

“We’re happy we finally won,” said Petron-Letran coach Bonnie Tan in Filipino. “Then again, here in the D-League, win or lose we gain experience so it’s a win. I’m just happy that we didn’t back down from the challenge today.”