The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters are not done yet as they secured the no. 2 spot in the quarterfinals of the 48th Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
More work needs to be done going into their final game of the eliminations against the TNT Tropang Giga on Sunday.
Coach Jamike Jarin lauded RJ Jazul, one of the most experienced players in the Fuel Masters’ roster, as he scored crucial baskets with Tyler Tio in the final period to lift them to their eighth triumph in 10 games.
“This is a big win for us. But we still need to play with some extra work, and more effort. We’re still in a bind. We don’t know who we’re facing in the playoffs,” said Jarin, after the Fuel Masters toppled the Meralco Bolts, 93-83, on Wednesday night.
The opponents of the Fuel Masters are still unclear now that the Meralco Bolts dropped to a share of third, fourth and fifth spots in the standings with San Miguel Beermen and the Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings at 7-3.
The final spots in the quarterfinals will be decided when the Beermen play the Blackwater Bossing at 4 p.m. before the Bolts and the Dyip clash at 8 p.m. Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The next day, the Gin Kings will meet the NLEX Road Warriors in a road game at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation in Legazpi, Albay.
Last Wednesday, a triple from Jazul in the last 1:16 gave the Fuel Masters an eight-point cushion, 91-83, allowing them to bag a precious top four finish and move up to no. 2 spot in the standings.
Jason Perkins went on to finish with 25 points for the Fuel Masters, who became the second squad to snare a win-once quarterfinal incentive next to top seed Magnolia.
“We just want RJ to get the ball in the last 50 seconds. Before the game, I told the boys that RJ has been in this situation a thousand times. So, we just wanted to make sure that the right decisions are made here,” said Jarin.