THE initial goal of Alonzo Gee is to turn Phoenix Pulse around as the new import looks to help the Fuel Masters end their struggles in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The 32-year-old Gee is coming in to replace Eugene Phelps as the Fuel Masters, tied with Rain or Shine and Blackwater for ninth place with a 2-5 record, vies for a place in the quarterfinals.
Gee will suit up on Friday when Phoenix faces Columbian at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
“I obviously want to turn it around. I think we are 2-5 right now and we will take one game at a time,” said Gee at practice.
Gee has vast experience in the NBA where he notably played for the Cleveland Cavaliers alongside a young Kyrie Irving from 2010 to 2014. Gee said he learned a lot from Irving.
"Playing with Kyrie, he is a great player. Probably one of the best players to play the game, obviously. He helped me out a lot. We played together for four years in Cleveland so he helped out a lot,” said Gee.
After playing for a few more teams in the NBA as well as the G-League, Gee spent the last year playing overseas, having suit up in Puerto Rico and Australia before landing in the Philippines. Despite being new to the team, Gee said he is fitting right in, and has even adjusted well to the conditions in the Philippines.
“It’s getting along,” Gee said, referring to the chemistry. “The guys are trying to hit me up, get adjusted to be in the Philippines. The weather, I’m from Florida so it’s kind of similar. But my teammates are helping me out. My coaches, we’ve been watching a lot of film. They try to get me adjusted really well.”
“I actually talked to a few guys before I came over here to play and they were telling me that it’s a good spot, good competition, and a good league to play in so, like I said, I’m excited to be here and ready to get going,” said Gee.
As he continues to get used to the dynamics of the team, Gee expressed optimism about the Fuel Masters’ campaign.
“We have four games left and we got Columbian on Friday and try to win that game. We’ve got to focus on that game and after that game, we got to focus on the next game and build on it.” With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada