RR Garcia turned back the hands of time and showed the way in Phoenix's breakthrough win in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The veteran guard registered his first pro career double-double in the Fuel Masters' 94-78 rout of Terrafirma to finally make the win column after initially losing their first two assignments.
A former UAAP MVP from Far Eastern University, Garcia finished with 20 points and a career-high 10 assists, while spearheading a fiery 10-2 fourth quarter run that allowed Phoenix to pull away for good from Terrafirma.
The 34-year-old Garcia accounted for four points during that stretch and dished off to rookie Matthew Daves for a two-handed slam off a transition as the Fuel Masters jumped off to a 76-68 lead with 7:39 to go.
The lead eventually ballooned to its biggest at 92-75 inside the final two minutes.
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Garcia said he had to step up his game since sophomore starter Tyler Tio remains injured owing to a grade 2 ankle sprain.
"Ang sa akin kasi wala si Tyler e, so kailangan mag step up as a veteran dito sa team," he said. "Two-zero kami e, so kailangan namin manalo na nakuha naman namin. So sana tuluy-tuloy na."
Garcia also does his share of guiding some of the young players of the Fuel Masters as one of the two veterans in the team together with captain RJ Jazul.
"Dumaan din ako diyan sa pagka-rookie. Siyempre ang mga beterano talaga kailangan mong i-guide yung mga rookies," said Garcia, who acts as mentor to the 25-year-old Tio.
"Kung ano yung mga na-experience ko, siyempre shini-share ko rin sa kanila."
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Lead by example and that's exactly what RR has been doing now for Phoenix. (RG)
