![Jonathan Williams of PBA Phoenix Fuel Masters](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2024/01/IMG_0726_PBA-Commissioners-Cup-Phoenix-Meralco_Jonathan-Williams-620x413.jpg)
Jonathan Williams of the Phoenix Fuel Masters at the PBA Commissioner's Cup. –Marlo Cueto/INQUIRER.net
With Phoenix Super LPG, you no longer have to look far for motivational words to cheer yourself up when you find yourself in the current situation. PBA Commissioner's Cup Quarterfinals this Wednesday. Jonathan Williams III was preparing for the aftermath last weekend.
„As 'J-3' said, it's a new season, playoff season,“ coach JayMike Jarrin said, referring to the game his imports went through in the aftermath of Sunday's crushing loss to TNT. I remembered the gathering afterwards.
„It doesn't matter what we did in the qualifying round or what happened (Sunday). It's going to be a different ball game,“ he continued. “We are now in a position to make it to the semi-finals and it will go through Meralco.”
No. 4 seed Phoenix and No. 5 Meralco will play an interesting doubleheader at PhilSports Arena, with the Fuel Masters hoping they won't have to use victory protection twice.
Djarin is well aware that such work is easier said than done. Meralco similarly won eight of 11 matches in the elimination round. And just like the Fuel Masters, Bolt was once on pace to finish second in the race.
But what really keeps Jarrin on his toes is making it to the Finals, something Phoenix has never done throughout its franchise history. „Meralco is a very experienced team,“ he said, highlighting the Bolts' extensive experience having played in multiple championship games. “We have to play selfless basketball for 48 minutes.”
On the other side of the bracket, Magnolia coach Tito Victorello has the same outlook for the top teams going up against top teams. TNT managed to catch the playoff bus in time. Even though we are suffering from a shortage of manpower.
„The players know that every time they go to the playoffs, the atmosphere changes a lot,“ he said.
clash of powers
![Magnolia Hotshots imports Tyler Bey](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2023/12/IMG_0623_PBA-Commissioners-Cup-Magnolia-Terrafirma_Tyler-Bey-620x413.jpg)
![Magnolia Hotshots imports Tyler Bey](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2023/12/IMG_0623_PBA-Commissioners-Cup-Magnolia-Terrafirma_Tyler-Bey-620x413.jpg)
Magnolia Hotshots imports Tyler Bay. –Marlo Cueto/INQUIRER.net
The two powerhouses, Magnolia and its imports, will clash at 8 p.m. tyler bey Looking for a faster route to the Final Four.
„You change your approach. You can go to the next level,“ Victorello said.
Meanwhile, eighth-seeded Tropang Giga are better than they were in the second half of the qualifying round, with gunner Roger Pogoy back in harness and reserve player Laryl Hollis-Jefferson proving as solid as his brother. He seems to be feeling much better. Ronde.
And at least coach Jojo Lastimosa feels he has the tools to compete even against top-ranked hotshots.
“I’m just trying not to get blown away,” Lastimosa said with a laugh, minutes after booking his final ride to Sunday’s quarterfinals. „But all kidding aside, in this conference, except for Meralco, we were losing, but we were competitive. „Even when we played Ginebra and they were all Filipino, we were competitive.
And that's one of the things that's consistent for us. It just so happened that we didn't have the members we wanted (for this tournament), so we fell short at the end. But now that Roger is back, I think we have enough players to perform until the end,“ Lastimosa said. INQ