THERE'S a strong sense of urgency as Phoenix Super LPG and San Miguel Beer tangle in a pivotal PBA Commissioner's Cup matchup Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Both the Fuel Masters (5-5) and the Beermen (3-5) need to break out of their current two-game slumps in the 4:30 p.m. tussle to prop up their respective playoffs aspirations.
Coach Topex Robinson' troops can move up to fifth spot if they summon back the old form that allowed them to string up five straight wins before stumbling versus Converge, 127-130, and pacesetting Magnolia, 80-90.
"There's nothing to worry about," said Robinson, whose team can finish with seven victories if it hurdles SMB and last elims opponent Terrafirma.
"The good thing about it is we still have control of our destiny. We just have to play our cards right," he added.
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The Beermen are standing on more dangerous grounds.
Hurt by the absence of six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, the defending champions have lost four of their last five outings to find themselves outside the Magic 8 at 10th overall.
SMB is hard-pressed to pick itself up, especially after blowing a 19-point fourth-quarter lead in a 96-97 heartbreaker to Ginebra and bungling a good opportunity in an 80-85 loss to the Hotshots.
Fajardo, who underwent throat surgery after getting hit by Rain or Shine import Steve Taylor last month, came to the Magnolia game in uniform but didn't see action yet.
The 6-foot-10 gentle giant said he's raring to play as soon as possible.
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"Gusto ko makatulong sa team," said Fajardo, who may return as early as Saturday if doctors give him the go-signal. (OL)
