PHOENIX has shown it can hack it against favored Magnolia. The ball is now on the court of the Hotshots to deliver the coup de grí¢ce and avert what could be anybody’s game in a decider.
“They’re gonna watch the film and they’re gonna look at the things that didn’t work for them and worked for us. So, they’re gonna counter that,” Fuel Masters coach Jamike Jarin said. “In the two games they won they had either more second-chance points or rebounding. Last time, we were able to control both of those things.
“We’re gonna look for that and they’re gonna pound themselves inside so we have to be ready for that,” he added.
Magnolia tries to show the door on Phoenix when they clash tonight in Game 4 of their best-of-55 semifinals duel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The match is set at 8 p.m., with the Hotshots raring to redeem themselves from an 85-103 loss in the third game three nights back where they squandered a 21-point first half lead.
“That’s a good win–our 100th–and we got it in the semifinals,” Jarin said.
Jolted to its senses, Magnolia certainly does not want to suffer a huge meltdown anew.
A knockout tiff for a slot in the Big Dance opposite San Miguel Beer, if necessary, will be on Friday at the same venue.
Jarin expects a furious fightback from the wards of Hotshots tactician Chito Victolero.
“They’re gonna come in with a lot of physicality,” Jarin said. “Those first two games could have gone either way.”
Import Johnathan Williams, Jason Perkins, Javee Mocon, rookie Kenneth Tuffin, and veteran RJ Jazul will be counted upon by the Fuel Masters in their bid to stay alive in the season-opening tourney.
Perkins is convinced they have what it takes.
“We (now) know what to do in the endgame,” Perkins said, “We just need to execute, get organized, rebound, and play defense.”
For Jazul, team play will be one of the keys, saying: “Like what coach said in the locker room, we’ll do it together. Hindi lang kay J3 (Williams), hindi lang kay Jason. We’re here together. Everyone is important.”
Magnolia will count on reinforcement Tyler Bey, Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon, Calvin Abueva, and Ian Sangalang.
