WHAT Phoenix's ranking going into the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals is still an open-ended question.
There are no ifs and buts as far as Blackwater is concerned.
It is with such thoughts in mind that the Fuel Masters and Elite collide Sunday as they wind up their elimination round assignments at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"It's a war," was how Blackwater coach Bong Ramos expects the match to be.
Considering what is at stake, nothing less should be offered.
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Phoenix still has a shot at being No. 2 and a twice-to-beat advantage in the eight-team quarters if it wins and moves alongside Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok and Alaska as the former will have a plus-2 advantage.
A loss would relegate the Fuel Masters to as low as No. 6 and a twice-to-win handicap over the third-ranked Alaska Aces.
"We just have to take care of business para kami maging No. 2," said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.
The picture is much clearer for Blackwater.
A victory by the Elite would give them the No. 4 slot and a win-once advantage over the fifth-ranked team. A loss, however, would drop them to No. 5.
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Ramos knows exactly the situation his team is in and the kind of opposition it is up against. "Phoenix is a strong team," he stated.
"We need to really play tough defense first. We need to exert extra effort defensively," added Ramos.
Main concern for Ramos is how to stop Phoenix import Eugene Phelps and for good reason. The man known as "El Destructor" has been averaging 31.10 points, 18.5 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per outing.
But it is not just Phelps alone as Calvin Abueva, Matthew Wright, RJ Jazul, JC Intal, LA Revilla and Justin Chua are also crowding Ramos' mind.
"We need to contain their import and the locals," noted Ramos. "They are playing great as a team."
Like Blackwater, Phoenix is also coming off a win, a but Alas said his side must play much better than it did in a 103-97 victory over Rain or Shine.
"Lots of bad habits and we have to arrest them, we have to check them," said Alas after the Elasto Painters game, referring mostly to the way his team started out listlessly and trailed by as many as 16 points in the third quarter.
That simply won't do against a Henry Walker-led Blackwater crew.
"Henry Walker is very, very smart so we have to do a lot better against Blackwater," rued Alas. "Hindi p'wedeng gawin sa Blackwater iyon."
Indeed, Walker has an able support staff, led mainly by Mike Digregorio, JP Erram, Nards Pinto, Allein Maliksi and Mac Belo. (NC)
