Raging Fuel Masters, crippled but gritty Kings fight for lead

Game Saturday (in Cagayan de Oro)

5 p.m. – Phoenix vs Ginebra 

MANILA, Philippines — Coach Tim Cone calls Phoenix Petroleum a “real deal.” Coach Louie Alas, meanwhile, says Barangay Ginebra is as much a never-say-die team as a “next-man-up” squad.

Both the Barangay Ginebra Kings and the Phoenix Fuel Masters brace for a tough showdown as they slug it out in a PBA Governors Cup Petron Blaze Saturday Special at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro.

“Phoenix is the real deal, and they back it up statistically. They have been the dominant team this conference, so we know we have our work cut out for us,” said Cone.

“Ginebra is Ginebra. They’re a next man up team. If they have somebody down, the next player is always ready to fill in. And even if they’re left with eight or seven players, they would come out and compete,” said Alas.

“It’s good we won our last game, and we have a momentum to ride on,” added Alas whose team, in its strongest start in a conference at 5-1, stakes its hold of the solo lead when they take on the Kings in their 5 p.m. setto.

The Kings are at joint second place with the Blackwater Elite at 4-1 despite a badly crippled lineup minus Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, Sol Mercado, Jervy Cruz, Raymond Aguilar and Art dela Cruz.

Three-time champion import Justin Brownlee provides the Kings a huge lift, but he’s now to face a tough challenge against Phoenix’s own super import in Eugene Phelps.

“We’re hoping we can use our out-of-town Ginebra crowd to propel us to a victory,” said Cone, wary against the Fuel Masters who have placed one foot into the playoffs with decisive wins over Columbian Dyip (113-107), NorthPort (132-91), TNT KaTropa (112-82), Meralco (96-86) and Magnolia (95-82).

Phoenix suffered its lone defeat at the hands of Alaska Milk, 97-108.

Ginebra, on the other hand, endured an assortment of health woes and posted wins over Columbian Dyip (96-84), Alaska Milk (109-101), NorthPort (104-98) and San Miguel Beer (110-102).

Both are determined to get going to land in the Top Four for a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

“Teams need to win as much as they can in this tournament because you want to be in the Top Four,” said Alas.

The Fuel Masters have instantly become a top contender on their acquisition of Calvin Abueva just before the start of the tourney.

“Kahit saan mapunta 'yan, game-changer 'yan,” said Alas of Abueva.