SMART CLARK GIGA CITY — The Finals are now within reach for the surprising Phoenix Super LPG.
The Fuel Masters disappointed TNT, 92-89, to take a 2-1 lead in their 2020 PBA Philippine Cup semifinal battle, Sunday at the SMART 5G-powered AUF Sports and Cultural Center.
“We’re deeply humbled and blessed that we’re in this situation,” expressed head coach Topex Robinson.
History now beckons for this squad following the triumph. Phoenix moved one win away from making it to the Big Dance, something that the franchise hasn’t accomplished since joining the league in 2016.
The youthful bench tactician made it known before that they intend to stay longer in the bubble, and that hasn’t changed.
“By the way we’re playing now, just like what Matthew [Wright] said, it’s about inspiring others. If we can go to the Finals, and inspire a lot of people, that’s where we’re headed,” said Robinson.
“We’re gonna stay here as long as we could, because we know that as long as we’re doing our best, winning will be the by-product of everything we’re doing.”
Game Four of the best-of-five series is on Wednesday. There, Phoenix has the chance to finish it off and turn its intentions into reality. Still, Robinson made it clear that they’ve set their sights elsewhere.
For the cager-turned-coach, it’s about being a better team from Sunday. And they plan to work on that in the days leading up to the match.
“We know that we’re hurt and we’re tired, but you also have to look at the other team. We’re hurting and tired, and I’m sure they’re also hurting and tired,” he said. “We don’t really focus on finishing it off on Wednesday or anything else.
“We just want to be the better team for today. We could do better,” continued Robinson.
“We have a lot of mistakes along the way, and ‘yun lang ‘yung focus namin. That’s the only thing we have control of, that we’re gonna make sure we’re not gonna commit the same mistakes as we did earlier.”
