Fuel Masters have playoffs in mind despite manpower woes

Phoenix is already dealing with some unusual player situations even with the PBA Governors’ Cup still days away from opening day.

Coach Charles Tiu told the Inquirer that Phoenix is trying to make do with what it has, but that hasn’t dampened the spirits of the Fuel Masters ahead of the import-laden tournament.

“We’ve been banged up, we (only) have 11 players healthy every day, so it’s been a challenge,” Tiu said over the phone. “It’s tough, we don’t have many big men on our squad, but we’re still trying to prepare and adjust to see how we can compete (in) this conference.”

“I feel we had enough time to prepare,” he went on. “But roster changes changed the way we envisioned the team. But that’s part of (it).”

Big man Matthew Daves took a flight to be with his family in Canada, and fellow bruiser Prince Caperal also took an indefinite leave to cater to family matters.

To make matters worse, the Fuel Masters have three players on the injured/reserve list. Dave Ando, Tony Ynot and Francis Escandor are all dealing with undisclosed injuries.

But it hasn’t been all bad for Phoenix, though.

After playing much of the Commissioner’s Cup without star forward Kai Ballungay, the Fuel Masters now have the Ateneo product back and healthy.

“He’s healthy now so that’ll be a big factor for us,” Tiu said of Ballungay. “Hopefully, he stays healthy.”

With the pieces dealt to Tiu, the squad is still looking to at least return to the quarterfinals.

The Fuel Masters still have rising guards Tyler Tio and Ricci Rivero together with NBA-caliber import BJ Johnson and Phoenix believes it will still be a threat in its group that also has Ginebra, Rain or Shine, Meralco, Magnolia and Blackwater.

“We have our work cut out for us, but hopefully we can compete, pull off a few upsets and make it to the playoffs again,” he said. “That’s our goal.” INQ