Trust is key

It didn’t seem like the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters were going anywhere but the bottom when they got off to a 0-3 start in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Then came the reawakening. Suddenly, Phoenix has risen to emerge the conference’s second hottest team behind only Magnolia whose record is a pristine 5-0.  The Fuel Masters have won three in a row and coach Topex Robinson said the other day the key to the turnaround is trust. The stats prove Robinson right as Phoenix leads the league in assists with a 23.7 average and in defense, allowing only 93.7 points an outing.

Robinson said when the ball is moving and players are looking for the open man, it doesn’t matter who ends up taking the shot. What matters is the players know their roles and trust each other. That trust builds chemistry and Robinson said Kaleb Wesson sets the perfect example of an import whose priority is teamwork, not individual stats. Wesson, 23, is the youngest import in town and although Blackwater’s Cameron Krutwig is also 23, he’s seven months older. Wesson is the second lowest scoring import, averaging 19.8 points but Robinson said he’s the best fit for the team.

“When I choose an import, I don’t only look at stats and videos,” said Robinson. “I try to find out if he has character. From his videos, I was honestly surprised when he arrived because he was a lot bigger in his highlights.” Wesson said in junior high school, he weighed 325 pounds. Slowly, he shed off the excess, cutting down on soda and his favorite apple juice, snacking healthy, eating the right food and doing “fun” conditioning drills like boxing. Within two years in college, he dropped 40 pounds and now, he’s maintained his fighting weight at 255. “I don’t like running because it’s boring,” he said. “I’d rather do something exciting or stimulating.” Robinson said jokingly it’s the reason why after grabbing the defensive rebound, Wesson rifles an outlet … because he doesn’t like to run.

Phoenix forward Javee Mocon said he couldn’t ask anything more from Wesson. “He’s a great guy, a great teammate,” said Mocon. “I got him to eat balut and he liked it.” Robinson said Wesson gets along with his teammates and assimilates. “The first time we sat down for a meal with the team, he wanted to try the Filipino food everyone was eating, he didn’t want to be different,” he said.

Although Phoenix is on the rise, Robinson said it’s not time to celebrate. “Of course, we’re happy winning three straight but it’s a long conference and our focus right now is Rain or Shine, our next opponent on Oct. 26,” he said. “We’re not looking beyond that game. We’ve got a mix of young guys and veterans and we’re all playing together as one. Still, a lot to improve on.” Phoenix’ rookies are Kurt Lojera, Chris Lalata, Encho Serrano and Tyler Tio. Serrano, the youngest local player in the league at 23, averaged 15.7 points in the last three games which Phoenix swept. Tio is hitting 41.9 percent from beyond the arc while hitting at a 16.2 clip and dishing out 4.7 assists a game. Mocon has taken the responsibility of picking up the scoring slack with Matthew Wright gone to Japan and Jason Perkins recovering from an MCL injury. He’s the team’s leading local scorer, norming 18.3 points. “Credit to our coaching staff,” said Mocon. “They prepare us for every game, lay out a plan and give us the chance to show what we can do.” The players don’t only trust each other, they also trust the coaching staff. And that’s the recipe for success.