Whoever it faces in the quarterfinals, Phoenix is determined not to make the same mistake it did the last time out.
The Fuel Masters are already looking forward to finally breaking through as they head to the playoffs of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup as the top seed.
Armed with a twice-to-beat incentive for the second straight conference, Phoenix looks to turn the tides this time around in the hopes of making the semifinals.
It awaits the victor between NLEX and Alaska, who are currently in a dog fight to determine the last team that will punch the last ticket in the quarterfinals and the No. 8 seed.
Either way, Phoenix coach Louie Alas is focus on his team’s progression ahead as he doesn’t want a repeat of what happened in the Governors’ Cup of last season.
“We’re able to get our first goal, which is to be in the top two, nag-top pa nga,” said the Fuel Masters’ tactician. “But this time, we don’t want what happened last conference. We also had a twice-to-beat advantage but we still lost. We need to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
Phoenix was the No. 2 seed last Governors’ Cup, but still did not make the semifinals, losing to Meralco twice in the quarters.
Now, the Fuel Masters are hoping that holding the top seed and playing consistently well can get them over to the next level.
Phoenix finished with a remarkable 9-2 slate to claim the top spot.
It also has victories over NLEX and Alaska in the eliminations.