ANTIPOLO – Phoenix split its first two games against the finalists of last season’s PBA Philippine Cup, a solid start to a new chapter for a team that elevated Willy Wilson from assistant to head coach during the offseason.
The Fuelmasters defeated reigning champion San Miguel 109-103, last Sunday at the Ynares Center just two days after they opened the season with a 93-78 loss to 49th Season Philippine Cup runner-up TNT last Friday in Montalban, Rizal.
READ Phoenix gets first victory under coach Wilson, keeps SMB winless
Phoenix also snapped a 10-game losing skid to San Miguel, which the Fuelmasters have not beaten since November 5, 2020, or 1,802 days ago, when Jason Perkins was still teammates with Matthew Wright and Calvin Abueva in a 110-103 win at the Angeles University Foundation Gym during the Clark bubble.
When the schedule was released that Phoenix was going up against the finalists from last conference, Wilson said he embraced the challenge of facing his former coaches Chot Reyes and Leo Austria who were an integral part of his basketball career.
“Siyempre, gusto namin lahat ng games pero wala namang expectations as far as we need to win one or we need to win two or we can’t lose both,” said Wilson.
“Ako, na-excite ako na nakita ko Talk ‘N Text and San Miguel not because they are really, really strong teams but because I played for both coaches,” said Wilson.
“Coach Chot was my coach when I played for San Miguel,” said Wilson, referring to Reyes’ brief time with SMB in 2006.
“Coach Leo was my coach when I was in the PBL playing for Welcoat. I actually owe a lot of me being in the PBA to him. And he knows that.”
“Doon ako na-excite when I saw the schedule. I look at it as a great opportunity when the master meets the student, parang ganun,” said Wilson.
Wilson said he was only expecting improvement for the team over the course of the two matches that will benefit them for the long haul.
“No expectations as far as wins or losses. Just play our best and continue to grow. I don’t want us to be the same team that we were yesterday and today,” said Wilson.
Wilson was thrilled to see the Phoenix dish out more assists, 27-20, and block more shots, 4-1, against a dominant Beermen squad.
“For the players to actually know that this team is capable, that’s big,” said Wilson.
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