The whole Phoenix bench erupted in celebration the moment pint-sized guard LA Revilla sank a triple right in front of them with 1:16 to go in the Fuel Masters’ collision with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Wednesday evening.
That shot meant a lot, as it completed the Fuel Masters’ fightback from 16 points down. Phoenix would go on to win, 107-93, to gain solo fourth place in the team standings of the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup.
Revilla himself had a great night, producing 13 points on a 50 percent clip along with six assists and four caroms.
“Yan naman ine-expect namin sa kanya. We all know marami kaming shooters, and alam namin magaling siya mag-create. But let’s give it to LA, marami siyang crucial points kanina,” lauded Fuel Masters head coach Louie Alas.
“Kung bibigyan ko ng ganung open shots, ititira mo na yun,” said Revilla.
“Hindi naman puwedeng facilitator ka lang the whole time. Kung may opportunity ka na tumira, kahit role mo point guard lang, you have to be a threat inside.”
But more than the dagger he struck, Revilla is glad that he has finally overcome Rain or Shine, whom he says have been his tormentors ever since he entered the league in 2013, when he was picked 24th overall by GlobalPort.
“Personally happy ako na natalo Rain or Shine, it’s been five years na hindi pa ako nananalo sa Rain or Shine,” recalled the former De La Salle Green Archer, who also played for Kia before being signed by the Fuel Masters in 2017.
But all in all, the 29-year-old feels elated with Wednesday’s result, as it helped the Fuel Masters build character, which is something that they will need come the playoffs – Phoenix have improved to 7-3 and are nearing a twice-to-beat edge.
“As a team, we’re so happy na natalo namin sila kasi sabi nga ni coach it’s hard to play against a team na walang pressure. For us I think it was character building,” he said.
“Alam naman natin yung environment sa playoffs.”
