Phoenix Fuel Masters’ RJ Jazul and Johnathan Williams in the PBA semifinals series against Magnolia Hotshots. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Phoenix Super LPG was finally able to break free from the clutches of defensive-minded Magnolia and win a game in their semifinals series in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday.
Now dangled with a chance to level the series with the top-ranked Hotshots, the Fuel Masters, naturally, are raring to keep the fire burning.
“I think our chances are good,” swingman Sean Manganti, one of the heroes of that 103-85 comeback victory at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, said as Game 4 unfurls at 8 p.m. at the same venue.
That’s because the swingman believes that the pressure is over at the enemy’s camp.
“We think Magnolia has all the pressure. They should be beating us. We’re going in there to continue our fairytale run. We want to make it to the Finals and we’re all optimistic.”
Breaching 100 points
Phoenix will have all sorts of momentum on its side come game time, especially after being able to breach the century mark after getting limited to just an average of 78 points in the first two meetings.
The Fuel Masters will also bring a different kind of grit when they take the court, having overcome a deficit as big as 21 points in that Sunday clash, all thanks to a collective effort led by skipper RJ Jazul and import Johnathan Williams III.
And then there’s the fact that Phoenix has been battle-hardened by going through a pair of character-testing games. The club has now survived two elimination games, its first against an equally capable Meralco Bolts squad in the quarterfinals.
“[RJ] mentioned [it]. We’ve experienced this [critical situation] already, so we’ll be ready,” said coach Jamike Jarin.
But both Manganti and Jarin are no fools to believe that Magnolia—a club replete with marquee names eager to deliver the franchise’s first title since the 2018 Governors’ Cup—will be easy picking even if it blew that 21-point lead in the first half.
“Definitely, coach Chito (Victolero), and Magnolia will be coming in strong,” said Jarin. “They’re gonna watch the film and they’re gonna look at the things that didn’t work for them and worked for us.”
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“We’re coming in with the same mindset—that our backs are against the wall. We’re going to do everything we can,” said Manganti as powerhouse San Miguel, after sweeping Barangay Ginebra, waits for a Finals foe. INQ