CHICAGO - Obviously, this wasn't how he wanted his team's PBA Governors' Cup campaign to end.
Eliminated from the playoffs, with only one win to show through 10 games.
"Very disappointing," head coach Jamike Jarin told me after Phoenix lost to NLEX, 104-79, Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Adversity, they say, best reflects a person's character. And in this difficult time where some blame to people and circumstances could have been conveniently assigned, Jamike only pointed a weary finger at himself.
"I take full responsibility. We just couldn't put it together," the multi-titled high school and college coach said.
While the Fuel Masters' exit officially arrived on September 20, their season really ended in the first two weeks of the ongoing conference.
IMPORT WOES.
Their first import was a quality one with US NCAA pedigree who simply didn't work out. The 25-year old Jayveous McKinnis didn't have enough overseas experience and got homesick, I am told.
After Phoenix started 0-2, the team decided on a replacement. But while waiting for that reinforcement, the Fuel Masters had to go all-Filipino in a 116-100 defeat at the hands of Pool B leader and now-7-2 Rain or Shine last August 30.
At 0-3 by then, it was a hole the Fuel Masters couldn't climb out of.
And to add insult to injury, Brandone Francis injured his groin in the Blackwater game last September 15, which helps explain the 112-96 demise against Ginebra last Wednesday and tonight's 25-point blowout against NLEX.
READ: Phoenix import grounded by groin injury in final PBA game
But there's a silver lining.
Two of their rookies - Kai Ballungay and Ricci Rivero - passed their baptism of fire in the PBA where the level of play is intense and physical.
"They have a bright future, but with so much yet to learn. We all believe that this experience will make us all better," Jamike quipped.
NORTHPORT OUT.
With their 110-94 loss to Magnolia Friday night, the Batang Pier are out of playoff contention in Pool A, sending both the Hotshots and Converge to the next round.
Like Phoenix, NorthPort had some tough luck, too, after import Venky Jois went down with an Achilles tear two nights ago.
On the other side of the bracket, the cast of characters is incomplete, with the Road Warriors and Bossing still trying to hitch a ride on the last train.
You gotta give it to the PBA, this Governors' Cup, with the exception of Terrafirma, is providing a lot of entertainment.
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