PHOENIX Pulse knows Columbian has nothing to lose and everything to gain when they collide Saturday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Main reason why coach Louie Alas can't stress enough the need for his Fuel Masters to be on their toes in the match, which they hope to win for their third straight and thus further boost their chances of advancing to the quarterfinals.
"We are preparing extra hard. Sobrang dangerous ang Columbian," admitted Phoenix coach Louie Alas on the eve of the Petron Saturday Special offering.
Alas' assessment stems from the Dyip's showing in their last three games wherein they dragged powerhouse teams Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beer to overtime games and even upended the Beermen 132-134.
In its last outing, Columbian also engaged heavy favorite NorthPort in a seesaw battle, only to lose 108-110 on a defensive goal-tending by import Lester Prosper.
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That loss dropped Columbian to 11th place and effectively took it out of the race for the top eight proceeding to the quarterfinals, even if it wins over Phoenix and Barangay Ginebra next Sunday.
But that doesn't mean coach Johnedel Cardel has given up on his other goals for his youth-laden Dyip.
"Kahit wala ng chance (for the playoffs) at medyo mabigat itong last two games namin kailangan pa rin naming ipanalo para ma-improve winning record at para na rin sa players, para sa growth nila," said Cardel.
Alas is already seeing a vast improvement in the former Kia/Mahindra team that used to be the league's favorite whipping boy.
"Sobrang explosive offensively with (CJ) Perez, Prosper, (Rashawn) McCarthy, (Glenn) Khobuntin, (Jerramy) King, (Eric) Camson, (Andreas) Cahilig," noted Alas.
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"Kailangan namin disipinadong depensa, individual at team, buong game."
Phoenix would still pay without the injured LA Revilla, Jaypee Mendoza and Michael Gamboa while Jason Perkins, Willy Wilson and Rey Guevarra are listed as day-to-day.
More severe is Columbian's manpower problems.
Jackson Corpuz has been diagnosed with a partial tear in both the posterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus in his left knee, an injury he suffered in the SMB game. He is expected to be out for the rest of the conference at best and may even miss the entire Governors Cup.
Also, Reden Celda has been slow to heal from the hip injury he suffered in the Rain or Shine game while Jerramy King is still feeling pain on his right knee, which underwent surgery following a Corpuz-like injury he sustained, incidentally also against SMB, in their season opener.
"Versus Phoenix bukas alam naman nating defensive team ito kaya medyo magkaka-problema kami sa point guard. Kasi bugbog na si Rashawn. Kapag ipinahinga ko nga siya si CJ na uno ko. Kailangan marami rotation ko sa point guard," said Cardel.
Still, Cardel wants to remain positive.
"May success din naman kahit papaano, kahit kulang sa point guard," stated Cardel.
"Gayun man, kung di kakayanin ni Reden, gagawa na lang kami ng paraan para makadikit ulit sa huli, magkaroon ng chance." (NC)
