PHOENIX will have a decimated backcourt in its must-win quarterfinals game against Magnolia in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
Veteran guards RJ Jazul and RR Garcia were both placed under the league's health and safety protocols, leaving rookie Tyler Tio to take care of the ballhandling chores for the eight seeds.
[READ: PBA put its own teams at a disadvantage vs Bay Area, says Guiao]
The Fuel Masters need to beat the second-seeded Hotshots in order to advance to the semis and will now have to do it without the veteran Jazul.
Also out for Phoenix were sophomore big man Larry Muyang and Chris Lalata, leaving the team with just a 10-man roster on its bench.
But the absence of Jazul was definitely a blow for the Fuel Masters as the former Smart Gilas Pilipinas member has been a stabilizing presence at the backcourt and averages 10.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in the eliminations.
Garcia, meanwhile, is contributing 4.0 points and 1.5 assists per game for Phoenix.
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