PHOENIX Super LPG hopes to add on to Rain or Shine’s woes when the two sides clash Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Fuel Masters are gunning for a second straight win that would boost their record to 2-2 while the Elasto Painters are still winless after four starts.
The two teams clash at 3 p.m.,
Despite Rain or Shine’s record, which is close to its 0-5 start in the last Commissioner’s Cup, Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin remains cautious.
“They’re 0-4 but they remain dangerous,” was how Jarin started baring his observations after watching the E-Painters fall to powerhouse San Miguel Beer 97-109, last Friday.
“They like the uptempo game, (Leonard) Santillan’s gonna be a problem, Beau Belga is gonna be a problem. (Adrian) Nocum just fouled out, but you know he’s playing well,”
continued Jarin.
“So we’re gonna have our hands full.”
Indeed, Santillan outdid himself against the Beermen by notching career highs in both points (31) and rebounds (14), while Belga tallied 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Nocum, who went into the game averaging a little over 20 points like Santillan, scored just 3 points before fouling out in the last 5:39 and should be bristling for a rebound game.
But the fact remains that Rain or Shine is sorely lacking an inside presence apart from Belga with the sidelining of Keith Datu, forcing coach Yeng Guiao to order his players to push the ball every chance they get.
Jarin is hoping his team’s preparations for a fast-paced game will be enough. “We have to keep in pace with them, so we have to defend their transition offense,” he said. “That’s our main concern right now.”
Phoenix also has one of its own key players out with Tyler Tio still needing at least a month more to recover from a slightly fractured left ankle he suffered in the Fuel Masters’ opening game against NorthPort last March 8.
Jarin maintains his other Fuel Masters have now adjusted to Tio’s absence, proof of which was their breakthrough 94-78 win over Terrafirma last Wednesday that somehow softened the twin blows they received from the Batang Pier and Barangay Ginebra.
Veteran RR Garcia readily stepped into the Tio void by notching a first-ever career double-double of 20 points and 10 assists while starring in a critical 10-2 fourth quarter run that fully pulled Phoenix away from Terrafirma’s grasp.
“We’re now a different team because of what Tyler can do. He scores, he pushes the ball and he distributes the ball to everybody, he creates. So that’s what we’re going to miss,” said Jarin.
“Good thing RR is really playing well, together with RJ Jazul,” added Jarin. “We got a good fourth quarter last game and that’s Phoenix basketball. Hopefully we can keep that up. So we’ll see.” (NC)
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