THE mission for Phoenix and Converge is simple–win.
“Simply put, we need a win. I’m very positive naman na things will start going our way,” Fuel Masters coach Jamike Jarin said. “Let’s see, hopefully. It’s a big week for us kasi we got two games in three days, pero first things first.
“We had games we should have won, but unfortunately we have a 1-4 record right now,” he added.
Phoenix tries to rediscover its winning ways when it takes on woeful Converge today in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The match is set at 4:30 p.m., with the Fuel Masters bidding to end a two-game mini-slump against the FiberXers, who are still winless in six outings.
Ginebra, also coming off two straight defeats, tangles with Blackwater, which has dropped three in a row, in the nightcap at 7:30.
Jarin said injuries to his key players spelled doom in their last two tiffs, counting a 116-102 whipping at the hands of defending champions San Miguel Beermen last March 31 that dropped them to 1-4.
“Malas-malas, eh. Losing our starting point guard, then (Jason) Perkins and (Raoul) Soyud, na mga starters din, and then RR (Garcia),” Jarin said. “So, you had an overall change-up in your starters and rotation.
Phoenix lead playmaker Tyler Tio also went down with an ankle injury right on their opening game against NorthPort last March 8.
“We were able to get a good replacement in Salado so at least we had 10 days to get everybody into the groove” Jarin, before naming the Converge cagers his charges should be wary of the most, said.
“(Justin) Arana, (Alec) Stockton, (Schonny) Winston, and even Bryan Santos, who can hit it from the outside. Mike Nieto is due for a big game and even Aljun Melecio,” he said. “This team is capable of really getting a team over any team. It’s just unfortunate that they haven’t been playing well.
“Hopefully, we can hold on to that, come into the game and play well, and after 48 minutes we win.”
Javee Mocon, Jayjay Alejandro, and rookies Kenneth Tuffin and Ricci Rivero will be counted upon by the Fuel Masters.
