Phoenix Petroleum, in its strongest start in a conference, seeks to get going as it takes on titleholder Barangay Ginebra in a Petron Blaze Saturday Special in the PBA Governors Cup at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City.
The Fuel Masters and the Kings fight for pole position as they clash at 5 p.m.
Phoenix has practically put one foot on the playoff round with a 5-1 win-loss slate while Ginebra is right behind the Fuel Masters at 4-1.
For the record, five wins had proved enough to make the post-elims play in three of the last four Governors Cup.
But the Fuel Masters are not about to sit on their laurels.
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"Teams need to win as much as they can in this tournament because you want to be in the Top Four for the twice-to-beat advantage," said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.
Phoenix has strung up three straight wins over tough teams TNT KaTropa (112-82), Meralco (96-86) and Magnolia (95-82) going to its keenly awaited match versus Ginebra.
"Malaking bagay sa amin yun we have a momentum to ride on as we play Ginebra," said Alas.
"They are shorthanded but Ginebra is Ginebra. They're a next man up team. Kapag merong player na wala sa kanila, the next man steps up. Kahit lima lang natitira sa lineup nyan, they would come out and compete," Alas added.
Ginebra's fortitude has been in full display once again in this tourney, enduring injuries to a number of key players including Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, Sol Mercado and Jervy Cruz.
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The Kings' latest victim was the San Miguel Beer team in a 110-102 victory Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where Justin Brownlee, Aljon Mariano and Joe Devance were among those who stepped up for Ginebra.
"We're fortunate that June Mar (Fajardo) and Marcio (Lassiter) didn't play for them. On the other hand, we also had guys not playing as well. It's a key game for both, and we're happy to pull this one," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone then.
The Kings have had earlier victories over Columbian Dyip (96-84), Alaska Milk (109-101) and NorthPort (104-98).
Cone, however, believes Phoenix would be among their biggest tests.
"Phoenix is the real deal, and they back it up statistically. They have been the dominant team this conference, so we know we have our work cut out for us," said Cone.(SB)
