Phoenix torches NLEX
YOUNG ROAD WARRIORS RUN OUT OF AMMO
Phoenix Petroleum made a conscious effort to contain NLEX’s perimeter shooting and the Fuel Masters stopped the Road Warriors, 102-95, to force a tie at third place at the resumption of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
The Fuel Masters shackled down Kiefer Ravena, Kevin Alas and Cyrus Baguio in particular, holding the three to nine points in the second half as Phoenix made it two in a row in the tourney following a 125-102 rout of the Kia Picanto last Dec. 27.
Offensively, Matthew Wright, Jeff Chan, RJ Jazul, Jason Perkins, Justin Chua and Doug Kramer all delivered double-digit outputs as the Fuel Masters caught up with the Road Warriors at 2-1.
“The key really was containing their shooters. All coaches know that you can’t stop them. The important thing is to at least contain them, and we’re able to do that,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.
Ravena, Alas and Baguio were all held way below their numbers in their first two games in the season.
Ravena, the No. 2 draft pick who sizzled with averages of 19 points and 8.5 assists in his first two PBA games, was limited to eight markers on a woeful 4-of-13 shooting. Alas and Baguio put together only 10 – eight below their combined average in their 2-0 season start against the Kia Picanto (119-115) and the GlobalPort Batang Pier (115-104).
“My second-half instruction was without any complication – continue to watch out for their perimeter shooting. I expected them to start making their shots, but we handled them well,” said Alas.
The Fuel Masters started to pick up a good game on both ends in the second quarter, erasing an early 10-point deficit before zooming to a 17-point spread early in the fourth.
The Road Warriors made numerous attempts to get back into the game but the Fuel Masters hung on to emerge victorious in their first game in the year.
“The usual thing happened. After our good run in the third quarter then making our substitutions, our energy level went down a bit. Good thing was we’re able to stay in control,” said Alas.
At 2-1, the Fuel Masters are not yet about to proclaim they’re a title contender.
“When I came in, I said we’re two to three personnel away from being an elite team. And we’ve got only one new addition so far in Jerson Perkins,” said Alas.
Perkins, the No. 4 draft selection, continued to make good impression, turning in 14 points, eight rebounds, two steals and one assist in 26 minutes of action.