Phoenix interim head coach Topex Robinson had nothing much to offer after the Fuel Masters absorbed their first loss in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, Monday.
That happened by way of a 91-110 defeat in the hands of TNT, foiling their bid of extending their unbeaten streak to three inside the bubble in Clark.
“Talk N Text was the better team tonight,” the 45-year-old mentor wrote in a text message to Tiebreaker Times shortly after the match.
Phoenix had a good start into the game, posting a 40-26 lead past the midway mark of the second period following a 16-2 spurt.
The Fuel Masters were taking advantage of the Tropang Giga’s cold shooting, until Roger Pogoy and Co. got their flow in the third canto.
Their lead slowly faded. Ryan Reyes soon gave TNT the 66-65 advantage following a trey with exactly four minutes left in the said frame.
TNT closed out the quarter with a 9-0 run for a seven-point lead. It did not lose hold en route to the 19-point victory.
Pogoy erupted for 30 points, while a total of seven Texters finished in double figures in the win.
TNT now sit on top of the standings with a 4-0 card.
Phoenix’s production, meanwhile, was a far cry from TNT’s. Matthew Wright led his side with 31 points as he shot a perfect 13-of-13 from the line.
But the only other Fuel Master to finish in twin digits was forward Jorey Napoles. He had 10 markers alongside six boards off the bench.
The disappointing defeat was also Robinson’s first since being assigned to man the sidelines of the young franchise.
Still, Robinson has always said that he’s in the PBA to learn as much as he can. Losses such as this can only help him with that.
And the rest of the Fuel Masters have a shot to bounce back when they go up against Barangay Ginebra this Wednesday.
