ANTIPOLO – Jamike Jarin hopes to fast-track the necessary adjustments for a Phoenix Super LPG side that has undergone major changes as of late.
The Fuel Masters are still reeling from the departure of former head coach Topex Robinson plus other changes prior to the PBA Governors’ Cup, but the interim mentor said that it is on the remaining think tanks to ‘pull it together.’
“I’m a very positive guy,” he said moments after their 108-105 loss to Blackwater, Friday. “I like to look at the positives rather than the negatives.
“There are, of course, a lot of adjustments to be made but hopefully we can fast track that. That’s my job and the coaching staff’s job to really pull it together.”
Phoenix has seen its people come and go this season alone, first with Matthew Wright leaving for Japan and just recently, Robinson as he returned to the collegiate ranks by taking De La Salle University’s coaching reins.
Add to that the trades in between, the most recent of which was Sean Anthony and Jake Pascual going to NLEX in a three-team deal involving TNT.
It has been obvious that the Fuel Masters are going through an adjustment period based on how they have been faring in the season-ending conference. Friday’s defeat was already their second in as many games.
But it’s not as if those losses were deflating ones. Similar to their tournament opener versus TNT, the crew rallied from as much as 12 and even took the lead briefly against the Bossing late in the game, but couldn’t find that finishing kick.
Jarin took responsibility for their losses. “Two games. Tough loss. I blame myself for this,” said the champion college coach.
“You can’t put that loss to the players. I should’ve prepared them better in this game. We started out a little flat so that’s on my part.”
Still, there were silver linings Jarin saw in the recent loss, and hopes that it would serve as lessons that could help his side breakthrough sooner.
“But the good thing about it, we didn’t stop playing,” he said. “We played better in the fourth quarter — even in the third quarter, we played better.
“Everybody was into the game. Lessons learned, so we just need to keep on working on the mistakes that we made and hopefully, get a win.”
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