THEY never learned.
Jeff Chan rued how Phoenix’s bad habit struck again after the Fuel Masters failed to protect another huge lead and fell to Rain or Shine, 108-106, Saturday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Fuel Masters led by as many as 29-10 early in the first quarter only to collapse anew in the endgame and let another win slipped away under their noses.
It was the third time in the last four games in which Phoenix led by double digit advantages yet ended up on the losing side.
“Hindi kami natututo ilang games na. So ang daming sayang na games,” lamented Chan following the heartbreaking loss.
“Maraming games na ganun, nakakainis. Kasi trabaho tayo ng first half, and then after that, second half babawiin lang,” said the veteran wingman. “Sa ngayon, medyo frustrated ang lahat.”
And who wouldn’t be? The Fuel Masters are now on a four-game skid and fell to a 3-6 record that put a damp on their bid for a first ever quarterfinals stint under coach Louie Alas.
But Chan gave credit where it is due.
After exploding for 23 points in the first half, the former Far Eastern University stalwart was held to just three points the rest of the way. After going 7-of-10 from the field in the first half – 6-of-7 from three-point range – Chan finished 8-of-14 overall from the floor for 26 points and 7-of-9 from downtown.
“Napaganda yung defense nila, naka-adjust sila, and nag force sila ng turnovers sa amin,” he said. “Ako naman hindi ako nakakuha ng magandang looks nung second half. Ok lang naman sa akin as long na yung ibang teammates ko ay makaka-shoot naman.”
While all is not loss for Phoenix, Chan said all the team could hope for is a tie for a playoff spot in the quarterfinals. The Fuel Masters play the Globalport Batang Pier and the Alaska Aces in their last two outings in the eliminations.
“Ang chance namin now kung manalo ng dalawa for playoff spot na lang yun,” he said. “Hopefully next game, yun na lang ang habol namin playoff spot.”
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