Instead of victories, disappointments are the ones racking up for the Phoenix Fuel Masters this 2018 Commissioner’s Cup.
The Fuel Masters have absorbed their fourth straight loss on Saturday evening in the hands of Reggie Johnson and the league-leading Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 108-106, which had sent their record down to 3-6.
Making it even tougher to accept had been the way they lost: they led by as many as 19 points early, only to allow the Elasto Painters to unload a 24-9 rally in the fourth quarter — the rally that practically finished them off.
As usual, their end-game woes affected the Fuel Masters. And for Phoenix head coach Louie Alas, he can’t stand this kind of problem anymore.
“‘Di na ako naniniwala sa moral victory. We need to finish well.
“Wala naman akong pressure sa management kaya lang sabi ko di maituturo yan, the more we win in the end-game dun tayo matututo,” said the first-year Phoenix head coach.
What’s currently happening to Phoenix is mind-boggling, to say the least, that even the arrival of Eugene Phelps isn’t helping. They had actually been competing early in the mid-season conference, when their record was still above .500 at 3-2.
The Fuel Masters, safe to say, are now fighting for their dear life. At 3-6, their chances have become bleaker, and if ever they sweep their last two games versus GlobalPort and Alaska, they will only get at least a playoff spot.
Now, as they go on into the home stretch of the eliminations, what Alas hopes to see from his wards is the urgency to play much better.
“We have to find ways. Wala kaming disiplina sa end game.”
