CHICAGO — As I’ve previously reported on Tuesday, the Phoenix Fuelmasters want to get rid of their import.
James Dickey III has worn out his welcome due to what a team insider referred to as “two strikes.”
The first perceived infraction was the April 5 game versus NLEX where he only had a lame 13 points.
It was an Easter Sunday match, Holy Week had ended and it was perplexing why Dickey fasted on scoring.
“Na-bad trip ang mga boss,” the source said of the frustrations felt by the Phoenix top brass.
SPRAINED FEELINGS.
The second infraction was committed this past Sunday when Dickey chose not to play against Converge due to a sprained ankle he sustained against Rain or Shine on April 21.
In that 87-83 victory over the Elasto Painters, Dickey finished the game and logged 30 minutes and 57 seconds of action.
In other words, his sprain apparently got worse, not better, after five days because he sat out against the FiberXers despite the pleadings of the coaching staff.
And here’s the killer.
“Hindi siya nagparamdam. He only said he wasn’t playing moments before tip-off at the arena,” a person with knowledge of the situation told me.
SALVAGING A PLAYOFFS SPOT.
A crucial game with severe playoffs implications eventually turned into a 27-point rout by Converge.
And Dickey’s teammates are said to be unhappy with him, creating a potentially toxic locker room.
Which is why Phoenix has been burning the phone lines the past few days searching for a new import.
Unfortunately, because of requirements that include a letter of clearance, a work permit and a Games and Amusement Board (GAB) license, it doesn’t look like a substitute can come in time for the Fuelmasters’ date with TNT on Friday.
Unless of course a miracle happens.
So Dickey will likely suit up versus the TNT Tropang 5G.
I already know what the vibe would be in that Phoenix huddle.
Awkward.
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