Phoenix Will Rise Again – Manila Bulletin

SMART CLARK GIGA CITY – Experience proved to be the biggest difference for TNT to beat Phoenix Super LPG in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.

And the main man of the Fuel Masters, Matthew Wright, could only admit that was the case.

“TNT is a good team. They have championship pedigree. They have big name players on that team. (They are) well trained. They have been in this situation more than us, ”he said.

The 29-year-old Fil-Canadian sniper, however, promised the Fuel Masters will come back stronger and get the job done if they face another life or death situation.

“We will be here for a long time, so it comforts me to know that this is just the beginning for us. There is only one place to go and that is up to us. I’m proud of the guys, ”he said.

“I promise you this will not be the last and we will be ready for next time.”

A historic franchise in Asia’s premier play-for-pay league, Tropang Giga revised a series deficit 1-2 and then used their depth and star power to clinch a 91-81 victory in the literal Game 5 win. or go home on Friday nights at the AUF Arena.

TNT, a perennial title contender who has been through numerous games with no tomorrows, became the 17th team in PBA history to overcome a 1-2 deficit and prevail in a best-of-five series, and only the 11th. to do so in the semifinals, according to the league’s chief statistician, Fidel Mangonon III.

“This series has been tough. If you look at the scores, it’s almost even, but in the end they made very good adjustments, ”Wright said.

One of those crucial adjustments was limiting bubble favorite MVP to just 13 points with a sour 5 of 19 from the field, including 3 of 13 from beyond the arc, following his 34-point eruption in a 102- loss. 101. in Game 4 two days ago.

“Give credit to the coaching staff: Coach Sandy (Arespacochaga), Coach Bong (Ravena), Coach (Mark) Dickel, a very good coach. They had a bubble before this. They’ve been working on their game and it paid off. ”