BY MICHAEL JUGADO
PHOENIX coach Jamike Jarin heaved a big sigh of relief after his wards finally scored a breakthrough win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
But the Fuel Masters’ 115-109 victory over the erstwhile unbeaten NorthPort Batang Pier last Tuesday night will be in vain if they fail to do an encore today against the Converge FiberXers.
“We’re 1-4 right now and we’d continue to work hard to get the next win,” Jarin said. “One step at a time, so the most important game for us right now is the one today against Converge.
“Tough team, young team, they just won kanina so it’s gonna be tough,” he added.
Import Donovan Smith showed the way for Phoenix with 32 points and 14 rebounds while Jason Perkins added 24 markers.
Kenneth Tuffin and veteran playmaker RJ Jazul also had 15 and 14 points, respectively, as the Fuel Masters recovered from a 72-94 setback at the hands of the Ginebra Kings last Friday and improved to 1-4.
NorthPort, which went into the tiff armed with a five-game winning streak that included a 108-101 decision over Converge Thursday last week, fell to 1-5 in the import-spiced meet.
Jarin commended his players, especially Jazul for his leadership savvy and for hitting timely baskets in the fourth quarter.
“This is big, anything when you’re 0-4 as you really need to climb back,” Jarin said.
“I’d like to commend all the players, they deserved this, especially the veterans and this guy beside me (Jazul) for keeping the team intact.”
Reinforcement Kadeem Jack carried the fight for the Batang Pier with 28 points while Arvin Tolentino had 23 markers.
Joshua Munzon, Evan Nelle, and Sidney Onwubere also contributed 18, 15, and 11 points, respectively, for NorthPort.
With the monkey now off its back, Phoenix should listen to Jazul.
“In our last games, medyo maayos naman sa simula, nawawala lang sa endgame. After four games, we learned our lessons,” he said.
