THERE’S just no quit in this Phoenix Super LPG squad.
With their backs against the wall, the Fuel Masters rose from the dead and carved out a thrilling 101-98 victory over NorthPort last Sunday to clinch the last quarterfinals slot in the PBA Governors Cup.
Phoenix coach Topex Robinson pointed to his players’ resolve as the big difference in the game where they razed an early 15-point deficit on the way to the big triumph.
“Credit goes to the players. Guys just didn’t give up,” Robinson said. “We were struggling, I mean, the whole game. We just made a lot of stops in the fourth quarter.”
“They just didn’t give up. Du’vaughn (Maxwell) just reminded the players not to give up, keep making stops, and play together,” he added.
The win sent the Fuel Masters to the quarterfinals where they will tangle with No. 1 and twice-to-beat Magnolia on Friday.
Maxwell led Phoenix with a game-high 31 points, to go with 13 rebounds and five assists, while veteran guard RR Garcia provided the sorely needed local support with 19 markers spiked by three three-pointers.
Jason Perkins also had 18 and chief gunner Matthew Wright recovered from his early shooting woes to finish with 11 points, including a three-point play that made it 100-98 with only 29 ticks left. RJ Jazul also scored 11 points for the Fuel Masters.
The Batang Pier came up empty in the ensuing possession, with Roi Sumang committing a costly turnover before Garcia sank a free throw with 19 seconds remaining that made it 101-98.
Phoenix held its ground in NorthPort’s final play, forcing Jamel Artis and Jerrick Balanza to miss their triple tries.
Artis paced the Batang Pier with 21 points, while Robert Bolick and Jamie Malonzo added 19 and 15 markers, respectively.
Arwind Santos and Sumang had 14 each for NorthPort.
“Guys kept reminding each other, guys kept encouraging each other and they just wanna give it a chance, and the opportunity was there,” Robinson said.
“We know that as long as we’re gonna focus on what’s in front of us, the possession in front of us, I guess that was the key for us.”
For Robinson, playing with collective effort will always be among the keys for his wards.
“They wanna play for each other and we talked about the ‘we’ shot. In these types of knockout games, it’s always gonna be about the ‘we’ shot that’s important, not a ‘me’ shot,” he said. “So, as long as we’re just sharing the basketball, a lot of good things will happen.”
