The formula to winning was simple for the Phoenix Fuel Masters in their first win against defending champion Meralco Bolts in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
Although they were doing the right things from practice to the actual games, there was something amiss for Phoenix in its first two games in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
Fuel Masters coach Jamike Jarin said the team was so locked in that they forgot they were also supposed to have fun.
They did just that Sunday, April 13, which led to a 109-97 verdict over Meralco that allowed them to arrest a sour 0-2 start.
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“We talked about how we’re all doing the right things: We go to practice early, we do our extra, we follow the coaches, we’re very respectful with our coaches, our players and everybody. We’re all doing the right things. We just couldn’t get the results we wanted,” said Jarin.
“The answer to all those questions is that [we’re not] having fun. Probably we’re just pressuring ourselves too much na, 'I’m doing all the work, how come I’m not making my shots? How come I’m making bad decisions?' We all just gathered together and had fun and stayed together.”
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Phoenix came out with guns blazing, posting an early 31-13 advantage behind Ricci Rivero, and they never looked back.
Eventually hailed Player of the Game, Rivero dropped 14 in the opening salvo before winding up with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
But it was Tyler Tio who put the finishing touches to the victory that also saw the Fuel Masters ward off a late Bolts uprising.
Tio made 5-of-6 from the stripe inside the final 2:12 to keep Meralco at bay after the latter trimmed the gap to 12, 104-92, on Aaron Black’s five straight points.
Jason Perkins' return to action after missing Phoenix's first two games also helped.
Perkins, who was coming off a battle with illness, put up 19 points and five rebounds.
Despite having six players finish in double figures, the Bolts just could not recover after their dismal start to the match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate.
Chris Newsome paced Meralco with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, while Bong Quinto chipped in 17 markers, eight boards, three dimes and two swipes.
Aaron Black had 12 points, four rebounds and nine assists, Raymar Jose impressed with a double-double of 12 points and 17 rebounds, and CJ Cansino and Raymond Almazan scored 11 and 10, respectively.
Meralco now lost its last two games to drop to 2-2.
Meralco vs Phoenix Scores
PHOENIX 109 – Tio 22, Rivero 20, Perkins 19, Ballungay 11, Tuffin 9, Salado 5, Jazul 5, Alejandro 3, Soyud 3, Garcia 2, Verano 2, Ular 2, Daves 2, Camacho 2, Managanti 2.
MERALCO 97 – Newsome 18, Quinto 17, Jose 12, Black 12, Cansino11, Almazan 10, Reyson 6, Rios 5, Caram 2, Torres 2, Hodge 2, Pasaol 0, Bates 0.
Quarterscores: 31-13, 58-37, 91-68, 109-97