Heading into Friday evening’s 2019 PBA Commissioner Cup clash between Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters and defending conference champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the Gin Kings were the favorites to win it.
Ginebra were coming off a big 100-85 victory over NLEX last Sunday. They were also more well-rested compared to Phoenix, who had just gutted out a 97-87 victory over NorthPort last Wednesday.
What’s more is that the Barangay now have Stanley Pringle – whom they got through a trade with the Batang Pier for Jervy Cruz, Kevin Ferrer, and Sol Mercado – who can definitely cause headaches in opposing teams.
But come Friday evening, an injury-riddled Fuel Masters shunned all the hullaballoo.
Phoenix exploded for 45 points in the third quarter alone, to turn a 12-point deficit to an 89-81 advantage heading into the final frame. They then showed composure down the stretch to eke out the stunning 111-103 victory.
For Matthew Wright, the Fuel Masters’ win only proved that the crowd darlings are also human.
“Everyone’s so pre-occupied with Ginebra – with their size, their lineup, and their personnel. But they’re human just like we are,” said Wright, who had 32 points. “They put their pants on one leg at a time just like me, just like you guys.
“We respect them, but we feel like sometimes they get a little too much respect, and teams are afraid to go at them, especially with the crowd.”
Friday’s win is the Fuel Masters’ second straight – their first win streak in this mid-season joust. They also improved their card to 4-4, which forced a three-way tie in fifth place with Ginebra and the Alaska Aces. Wright, of course, is happy.
“We had a 3-4 record coming into the game today. Now I think we’re tied with Ginebra, I think they’re 4-4 now which is good. Rain or Shine also lost today (versus NLEX Road Warriors, 97-100), which is good for us,” he said.
“I don’t like to pray on the downfall of other teams and hope that they lose, but it’s helping us a little bit. And we’re taking care of our own business, so I’m very happy with the results today,” added the Fil-Canadian sharpshooter.
Still, Wright is not going to relax despite the big win. They now have their sights set on their last three games versus Columbian, San Miguel, and NLEX – a stretch which could dictate their fate in the next round.
“We’re just focused on the next three games. We’re just trying to simplify it. We know that Columbian is not gonna be easy; we know San Miguel is not gonna be easy; and we know NLEX has nothing to lose right now and they won today and they look good,” the third-year guard said.
“We have our hands full the next three games.”
