CHICAGO- After a strong 3-1 start, Phoenix Super LPG emerged from the Holy Week break swinging for second place in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup standings.
Unfortunately, there was nothing sacred about the effort and performance the team put together.
The Fuel Masters were not “super,” just LPG, and a lot less flammable.
READ Bolick gets plenty of help as in-form NLEX runs over Phoenix
In a game as one-sided as a car hitting a bicycle, NLEX ran over Phoenix, 120-102, on Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
At least it wasn’t a hit-and-run. The Fuel Masters knew exactly what clipped them and why.
COLD SHOOTING
“They started really strong,” said Phoenix gunner Ricci Rivero, whose rifle was silenced to 20 points after exploding for 40 versus Terrafirma last March 25.
“Today, we just didn’t come to play at all,” coach Charles Tiu, never one to mince words, told reporters after his team dipped to 3-2.
Indeed, Phoenix played mediocre basketball and didn’t rise from it through four quarters, trailing by as many as 21.
Usually well-prepared and energetic. Phoenix looked pale and flat-floored from the start where they immediately trailed by 16 after one quarter, 33-17.
Import James Dickey III was a 6’10, 215-lb disappointment.
BELOW PAR.
In his first four games, the UNC Greensboro alum averaged 19.7 and 19.2 rebounds.
But against NLEX, Dickey was held to 13 points and 14 rebounds and was badly outplayed by Cady Lalaine’s 29-point, 10-rebound output.
The locals weren’t sparkling, either, as the team shot just 43.9 percent from the field (36–of-82) and only 33 percent from 3 at 9-for-27.
The Fuel Masters were also outrebounded, 51-42, and beaten in the assists department, 23-19.
Just like that, Phoenix is a mere one game above average, its margin for error reduced in a crowded conference where five of the 13 competing teams including a foreign guest squad will be cut from the playoffs.
And it doesn’t get better with Ginebra next in the schedule this Sunday.
Making the playoffs is still attainable but thete can’t be any more days where the start is slow, the rifles are cold, and Dickey is ordinary.
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