The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the TNT Tropang Giga at 6:30 PM on November 25, 2020, live from the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Up by 2-1 in their best-of-five semifinals series against the third-seeded Tropang Giga, Fuel Masters is eyeing to book later its first-ever stint in the PBA finals.
Despite his recent injury, Matthew Wright dropped 25 points, including a pair of clutch baskets in the final three minutes of Game 3. Wright, given his current situation, needs support from the likes of Calvin Abueva and Jason Perkins.
In Phoenix’s back-to-back wins in Game 2 and 3, Abueva was everywhere for the Fuel Masters, averaging 22.0 points on a 55% clip, including an impressive 63% shooting from three-point range to go with 14.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 3.0 steals.
“Basta ako, step-up lang. Binibigay ko lahat, energy at effort. Pag nandiyan yung effort, kaya mo ibigay lahat para sa team,” Abueva said.
Meanwhile, despite being in a favorable situation, Phoenix head coach Topex Robinson, not counting out Tropang Giga just yet, said: “We don’t really focus on finishing it off on Wednesday or anything else, we just want to be the better team from (Game 3). We could do better.”
For his part, TNT head coach Bong Ravena said: “Alam na alam na nila mga usual na ginagawa namin. Nasasangga na nila. Kailangan naming ibahin suntok, kasi kami nasusuntok nila, salag lang kami ng salag,”
Furthermore, Ravena noted that Fuel Masters’ threats come from different directions, featuring not only Game 3 hero Wright, the ever-reliable Perkins, and Abueva but also the likes of Justin Chua, RJ Jazul, Alex Mallari, RR Garcia, and even Brian Heruela.
In contrast, Bobby Ray Parks Jr has been consistent for the Tropang Giga. Still, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Jayson Castro, and Poy Erram have been inconsistent, leading to the whole team’s marked dip in performance.
“Execution lang sa depensa at opensa sa endgame. We just have to get over that hump, finish the game. Hindi porke’t nahabol namin, okay na. We have to finish the game. We have to think outside the box. Good thing we have had two days to prepare,” added Ravena.