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Phoenix coach Topex Robinson says the team got exactly who they wanted to draft in the PBA Season 46 Rookie Draft. Now the real work begins.
“I don’t know, by a stroke of luck or something, but we got the guys we wanted, the guys we wanted to have. We thought we would never get a chance to have them,” Robinson. he said Monday.
“We got what we asked for, so now we have to deliver. Whatever happens, we will be judged on our performance,” he added. “That’s part of our responsibility as coaches. But I’d rather have that kind of problem.”
The Fuel Masters nailed all of their picks in a loaded draft, selecting five prospects who will have a chance to shine in one form or another in the future.
In the first round, Phoenix went with the great NCAA champion Larry Muyang after trading to No. 7 by virtue of the Vic Manuel trade.
Muyang, winner of the Rookie of the Year award in season 94 before helping Letran win a title the following year, is expected to immediately contribute to a talented Phoenix frontline rotation that also consists of Jason Perkins, Justin Chua and Vic Manuel.
“We got what we wanted in Larry because he can defend at the post and he’s a proven champion,” Robinson said. “Larry will add depth to our frontcourt position. He’s big and heavy and hard to push. What surprised me was that he can shoot 3s! Perfect for our system.”
Nick Demusis and Aljun Melecio, who were Phoenix’s main targets in the second round, later met at No. 18 and No. 19.
“We are lucky to have Nick and Aljun in the second round. We never thought they would continue to be available so deep,” he said.
Demusis, a fil-Hawaiian swingman who played for the NCAA Division III Whittier School and the Bacoor Strikers in the MPBL, is among this year’s recruits in terms of athleticism and versatility.
“I like what I saw in Nick when he worked out with us. He’s hungry and he’s waiting for that opportunity,” Robinson said.
Melecio, a backcourt fixture for De La Salle during his days as a star point guard at UAAP, could serve as a key second-unit playmaker for the Fuel Masters.
“I followed Aljun’s career in college and I am a huge fan of him. When Aljun decided to enter the draft, I wished him all the best. Now that he’s with me, I’m even more excited,” Robinson said.
Later, Phoenix took Reymar Caduyac, who was one of Robinson’s players at Lyceum, at 34th. “Caduyac is my player at LPU and I know his potential,” Robinson said.
Bets were later placed on the fourth and fifth rounds, where the Fuel Masters selected Max Henstchel and Jerie Pingoy.
Robinson admitted that he has not seen tapes of Henstchel, who was selected 46th overall, but said he liked the prospect’s physical attributes.
“I have not seen Max play, but he is 6’4 and 22 years old. Not bad,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Pingoy ranked 52nd and will have a golden opportunity with the Fuel Masters to show why he was once a highly recruited high school prospect as a two-time UAAP Junior MVP with the FEU Baby Tamaraws.
“The important thing is that there is an opportunity. Like in life, you are going to fall, but there will be an opportunity,” Robinson said of Pingoy.
Strengthening the core was a major undertaking for Robinson and the Fuel Masters, who put in a tremendous performance at the 2020 Philippine Cup during Robinson’s first season as PBA head coach.
“We are in a better position now. The only challenge now is how to make them dance to the same tune. That’s where the work begins for us,” continued Robinson. “We got what we wanted. Now how can we get them to play together as a cohesive force? I’m excited about that.”
Under Robinson, who was promoted to full-time head coach in the middle of the conference, Phoenix scored a top-two offense and came close to reaching the PBA Finals for the first time.
In the bubble, Fuel Masters scored 98.3 points per game and posted an offensive rating of 105.8, both No. 2 marks. The team also led the league in assists per game (23.4) and ranked third in three-point percentage (35.0 percent) while shooting 38.1 attempts, good for the second.
But Phoenix made sure he didn’t prepare for disappointment after that good performance by being busy in the offseason, adding Manuel and Chris Banchero after trading Calvin Abueva earlier.
And after a productive draft, Robinson says the next step is to make the pieces work while showing that they truly deserve the respect they are afforded in the PBA.
“In fact, I was telling the players this: we wanted respect to go into the bubble. Now that we win it, the real work comes in. We are not going to be pressured by the teams now,” he said. “Now that we are respected, what’s next? Are we going to be happy to be respected or are we going to be motivated now that we earn it?”
