Phoenix hopeful of breakthrough

MANILA, Philippines — The Phoenix Fuel Masters are now working out twice daily in the last stretch of their buildup for the coming PBA season where they hope to finally make a major breakthrough.

Alex Mallari and Dave Marcelo are trade recruits giving Phoenix a deeper bench that the management and coaching staff hope to translate to winning big games.

“We traded away our No. 4 pick for experienced players as we, in the team, believe our future is now,” said Phoenix top official Raymond Zorrilla.

“Our rotation is deeper. We have a better core group but we’ve yet to determine who will be our finishers,” said coach Louie Alas. “Matthew Wright will be there, but he’s well scouted. Alam na alam ng kalaban na pupunta kami sa kanya at endgame. We need to find others ready to take charge at the finish.”

But in his team led by Wright, Calvin Abueva, Jason Perkins, RJ Jazul, JC Intal, Doug Kramer, LA Revilla and Willy Wilson, Alas believes he’s got a unit that is right there behind the traditional powers.

“We’re a middle-of-the-pack team that can improve as the conference goes on. The initial goal is to make the playoffs and we’ll see what we can do from there,” said Alas.

Zorrilla sets a modest goal in the all-Filipino conference that fires off Jan. 13 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“Malalakas talaga yung kalaban. The strongest team (San Miguel) has become even better. If we are there fighting, okay na sa amin,” said Zorrilla.

“We have a hole in the middle. Hopefully, it would be filled up by an import in the import-laden conferences, then laban na talaga kami,” Zorrilla also said.

The Fuel Masters remained a heartbreak team last season, narrowly missing the playoffs in both the Philippine Cup and the Commissioner’s Cup, then blowing away a twice-to-beat advantage in a quarterfinal showdown with the Meralco Bolts in the Governors Cup.

“We’re always one game away. Hopefully, we may now be able to get over the hump,” said Zorrilla.

Adding spice to the new Phoenix mix are rookies Jorey Napoles and Ron Morris Dennison who both got a one-year contract with the Dennis Uy-owned franchise.

Fighting it out for the last spot in the ballclub are slam dunk champ Rey Guevarra and guard Gelo Alolino.

With the addition of Abueva, the Fuel Masters made a good run in the Governors Cup elims, gaining No. 2 seeding in the playoffs only to flounder in the playoffs.

The Fuel Masters hope to be able to do the same in the elims in the coming tourney and to finally get over the hump in the playoffs.