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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Phoenix aims to sustain hot run

Phoenix aims to sustain hot run

Published Aug 4, 2026 03:05 pm

At A Glance

  • Phoenix head coach Charles Tiu is the least surprised by his team's performance through the first round of eliminations, and the Fuel Masters aim to build on that momentum as they open their second round against Blackwater.

Games Wednesday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5:15 p.m. – Blackwater vs Phoenix

7:30 p.m. – San Miguel vs Converge 

Phoenix head coach Charles Tiu is the least surprised by his team’s performance through the first round of eliminations, and the Fuel Masters aim to build on that momentum as they open their second round against Blackwater.

“We’re in a good position to make the playoffs,” said Tiu ahead of his team’s 5:15 p.m. duel against the Bossing at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday, Aug.5

“Step by step, we just take it one game at a time and we try to get as many wins as we can, because we know the (other) teams are gonna catch up,” he added.

As it stands, the Fuel Masters are currently at the top spot of Group B standings with a 4-1 record, while the Bossing are currently in a three-way deadlock with Ginebra and Magnolia with similar 2-3 slates.

Immediately following suit is an equally entertaining 7:30 p.m. duel between two stacked teams — San Miguel and Converge — but had been struggling in Group A as of late.

Knowing full well the quality of teams below Phoenix in the standings, Tiu believes squads like Rain or Shine, Ginebra, Magnolia and even Blackwater can easily make a run in the second round and catch his team up.

With that in mind, the youthful mentor wants his charge to stay focused.

“I can’t say that we’re surprised but as a team we try to believe we can win every game. We just ask them to compete,” said Tiu whose Phoenix came away with a 102-93 win over Blackwater in the first round.

“Ginebra is always gonna be there, for sure. Rain or Shine is always a semifinalist, Meralco na rin. So we’re trying to just find a way to sneak in. We’re one of the younger teams, so hopefully we can continue to play this way, but I still think we can play better and we have to play better,” he added.

Meanwhile in the second game, the Beermen (4-2) are hoping to get back on track after their tough loss against a depleted TNT in overtime the last game.

Related Tags

Phoenix Fuel Masters Blackwater Bossing PBA
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