SLOWLY but surely, Phoenix Super LPG is workings its way up after a winless start in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
From the bottom, the Fuel Masters have now taken flight into the playoff picture at solo No. 8, thanks to an all-important upset of quarterfinals-bound Converge entering the homestretch of the season-ending tournament.
Quick-fire rookie Encho Serrano served as one of the fuels who sparked Phoenix’s soar, scoring a career-best 28 points in the team’s 106-103 escape against the FiberXers.
The former La Salle guard scored his entire output in the second half, including a 17-point eruption in the payoff period as the Fuel Masters climbed to 3-5, good enough for a comfortable leeway against Northport (2-6), Rain or Shine (2-6) and Terrafirma (2-6) in the mad dash for the last quarterfinals ticket.
He shot efficiently from the floor on an 11-of-16 mark on top of two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in only 22 minutes of play in a performance that earned him the Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for Feb. 22-26.
The 19th overall selection in last year’s draft became the first rookie to earn two PBAPC-POW honors after winning his first in the 2022 Commissioner’s Cup when he also anchored Phoenix’s five-game winning streak from a 0-3 start.
Blackwater’s Ato Ular was the only other freshman to be named Player of the Week this season.
Serrano said the feat is borne out of his mentality to always stay ready.
“Lagi lang sinasabi sa akin ni coach Jamike to stay ready. Noong first half, iniisip ko na gusto ko talaga makatulong. Hindi naman nawawala ‘yung confidence ko. Gusto ko lang talaga makatulong sa team,” said the Kapampangan pride.
Serrano eclipsed Chris Newsome of Meralco in a close call for the weekly honor being handed out by the group of print and online media regularly covering the PBA beat.
