San Miguel determined to break spell in duel versus Phoenix

The Phoenix Fuel Masters had had good representations in the 2018 PBA All Stars that they hope they could bring over to the resumption of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Matthew Wright had solid showings in each stop of the three-leg All-Star series, Rey Guevarra reemerged as a slam dunk champ in Batangas City, Jeff Chan earned the MVP honors in Iloilo City while the rest of the Fuel Masters had a good week of training in Manila.

They hope to put a good job together as they did in their last game against the Barangay Ginebra Kings as they face a tougher, tougher test against the San Miguel Beermen at 7 p.m. at the Big Dome.

Needless to say, the Beermen are aching to pull a "W," having dropped all their first three games against the Meralco Bolts, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Alaska Milk Aces.

Not even Renaldo Balkman's takeover of Troy Gillenwater's spot could stop their slump against the Aces on May 19.

The Fuel Masters, meanwhile, are at 3-2 with a shot at completing a sweep of SMC's three franchises. They earlier defeated the Magnolia Hotshots, 89-87, and topped the Gin Kings, 103-98. They went above the .500 mark the last time in enduring a double-overtime battle with the Kings. They came out triumph with import sub Eugene Phelps.

"It's a big win and we needed it badly," said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.

"The whole week prinaktis namin kung ano naging outcome ng game. Nung last game kasi, breakdown agad kami right at the start," Alas also said. "I told them kung hindi tayo magpapakita ng toughness, especially mentally, walang mangyayari. I guess nagbunga."

Alas, however, is realistic they would need to be a lot more tougher if they're to hurdle the Beermen.