RR Garcia turned out to be one of the heroes of Phoenix Super LPG’s 101-98 comeback win over NorthPort that secured the last quarterfinals berth in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Garcia scored 16 of his 19 points in the second half and recorded the assist that led to Matthew Wright’s go-ahead three-point play in the dying seconds of the playoff match for the No. 8 seed in the quarters.
The journeyman has had some similar performances in the past, but the latest showing proved to be timely for Phoenix with the quarters slot at stake and Wright struggling to make shots throughout the contest.
“Talagang binigay namin yung best namin, lalo na ako,” he said in a post-game interview on television. “Nag-step up ako off the bench, kaya always ready lang ako pag pinasok ako ni coach.”
Garcia had been mostly a non-factor during the eliminations, averaging 3.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 11 games for the Fuel Masters.
Phoenix coach Topex Robinson hailed Garcia’s timely contributions, even describing it as a performance that brought memories of the past.
Robinson was also glad that Garcia got plenty of help as well.
“RR has been reliable for us,” he said. “The opportunity for him to rise to the occasion, and he just took advantage of it. He really just didn’t give up.
“And I guess, everybody just gave him an opportunity to score also. Guys are screening well for him, he was attacking the basket, and I just saw vintage RR in this game,” added Robinson.
Robinson was perhaps referring to Garcia’s old form back in his amateur days, something the former Far Eastern University star said was a way of making up for his mere contributions until this point of the conference.
“Ilang games na wala akong naaambag sa team, kaya pag ipinasok ako ni Coach talagang ready ako lagi,” said Garcia.
He will be tasked to at least have his presence felt going into the quarters, with Phoenix needing to win twice to score an upset over top seed Magnolia Pambansang Manok.