Phoenix Super LPG will likely come determined to complete some unfinished business against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in their playoff for the last quarterfinals berth in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Fuel Masters seek to clinch the No. 8 seed in their do-or-die match against the Gin Kings on Saturday, Sept. 25 at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor, Pampanga and perhaps erase the bitter pill of squandering a big lead in a loss to the same team in the eliminations.
It would be recalled that Phoenix held a 19-point lead near the end of the first quarter and looked to be in control until the fourth quarter when Ginebra rallied to sneak out a 94-87 win.
Turns out the result played a huge factor in the current situation of both teams, with Phoenix perhaps eyeing to exact a measure of revenge.
But Phoenix coach Topex Robinson would rather focus on the game itself than any of the subplots surrounding the crucial tiff.
“We will just focus on how we will play because that’s the only thing that we can control,” said Robinson, whose squad went 1-4 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City before splitting its six matches in Pampanga.
But Phoenix dropped its last two, including the Ginebra setback, and has not played since ending the elims with a 110-80 loss to San Miguel Beer last week.
Vic Manuel is expected to be out anew due to a leg injury, which leaves Matthew Wright and Jason Perkins to likely carry much of the load.