Fuel Masters, Hotshots shoot to extend streak
Phoenix is on the rise while Star has shone bright the last time out.
Both are coming off a winning ride as the Fuel Masters and the Hotshots clash in a Petron Blaze Saturday Special in the PBA Philippine Cup this weekend at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
The Fuel Masters set out for the 5 p.m. tussle on a two-game roll over the San Miguel Beermen and the Mahindra Floodbuster while the Hotshots ride the crest of an over-the-hump win over the NLEX Road Warriors.
Behind a torrid shooting and an efficient game through the first 40 minutes, the Fuel Masters built a huge 30-point lead before simply going through the motion for a 114-104 drubbing of the Floodbuster in their last game. They broke into the win-column on an upset of the Beermen early on.
Against Mahindra, the Fuel Masters didn’t show a killer instinct, blowing away a huge lead as they relaxed and slowed down in the fourth quarter much to the disappointment of their coach.
That was a reason for Vanguardia to throw a mouthful on his boys even with a winning effort.
“I wasn’t happy with the way we ended the game. We should alway be attacking and playing defense,” said Vanguardia.
The lesson should serve the Fuel Masters well going to their match-up with the Hotshots.
Paul Lee fired four three-pointers and a total of 20 points in a breakout game with his new team while rookie Jio Jalalon tossed in 17 markers as the Star Hotshots chalked up a first win with a 99-75 rout of the NLEX Road Warriors Wednesday.
The whole Star team actually got its act together to hand coach Chito Victolero his first win with the ball club. The team dropped its first two games against San Miguel Beer and GlobalPort before nailing a first win in the season.
“Dadaan talaga kami sa proseso because we have new players, new system and new coach. Pero lagi ko naman sinasabi sa kanila it’s not an excuse,” said Victolero.
“I’m telling the guys I want our team to be No. 1 or No. 2 on defense. Hopefully, yung chemistry makuha namin sa mga susunod na laro,” Victolero also said.
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