May 26, 2017

For Phoenix, duel with NLEX means playoff or bust

Losing is certainly not an option for Phoenix Petroleum as it plays its last game in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round versus NLEX at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo on Saturday.

A win could give the Fuel Masters an outright playoff entry but a loss could mean elimination from further contention.

The Fuel Masters are hard-pressed to win the 3 p.m. contest where the Road Warriors set out with no pressure at all since they’ve long been out of the playoff race.

“Nasa amin lahat ng pressure,” said Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia, hoping his troops come in proper mindset in facing a team determined to end their stint in the tourney on a winning note.

“We want to exit with some pride,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.

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The Road Warriors have snapped a long 13-game losing skein from last conference, winning their last game in style versus the Alaska Milk Aces, 100-92.

“Winning the game without an import in the last five minutes showed there’s a new resolve in our team. They want to prove themselves. They want to show we’re improving. We’re struggling, but we’re learning our lessons and we’ll bring them in the next conference,” said Guiao.

And the fiery NLEX mentor insists their last game in this conference is part of their learning process for the next tourney.

That’s a fair warning to the Fuel Masters.

Phoenix has found itself in a tougher bind in dropping a 121-122 loss in overtime to Mahindra last Sunday.

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