ANTIPOLO – Marcellus St. Clair Earlington vindicated coach Charles Tiu’s decision to pick him as the replacement import of Phoenix.
The 26-year-old Earlington proved that he belonged after catching fire in the pivotal fourth quarter which the Fuel Masters leaned on for a 105-101 comeback win over the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Governors Cup Friday at the Ynares Center.
READ: Phoenix Super LPG beats Meralco, seals place in PBA quarterfinals
The new import tallied 14 of his 20 points in the final 12 minutes as he rallied his side back from as many as 13 points down for the win which clinched Phoenix a berth in the best-of-five quarterfinals.
Tiu was all smiles when asked about the risk of bringing in Earlington in the crucial stretch of the team’s campaign for a playoff berth to replace BJ Johnson.
And to think he had two names in mind as replacement for Johnson, both of whom eventually ended up playing in the season-ending conference.
“Sa totoo lang, we were looking at (Nic) Hornsby of TNT, we were looking at (Jordan) Murphy of Ginebra. And I’m kind of like passed up on them,” said Tiu.
“Kasi we knew talaga from the start na magpapalit kami. So we actually worked really early and I picked him (Earlington). But I’m glad after this game, mukhang tama naman yung decision so far.”
It’s not that Johnson was a bad choice as he led the Fuel Masters to a 4-3 record while averaging 30.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
But the sudden entry of guard Gian Mamuyac following a trade with Rain or Shine, changed the dynamics’ of the Fuel Masters rotation.
Johnson was the team’s second man at the wing who creates and scores, a role which Mamuyac was able to fill.
“When Mamu came, it made the decision easier na let’s find an import that can complement and mas may inside game lalo na si Perk (Jason Perkins) has been dealing with some injuries,” said Tiu.
“It’s obviously a risk.”
But it was a risk worth taking.
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