RR Garcia turned back the hands of time on Sunday after spearheading a great Phoenix comeback which unfortunately just fell short against NLEX in the PBA Governors' Cup.
The veteran guard scored 14 of his team-high 18 points in the fourth quarter when the Fuel Masters initiated a bold comeback from the depths of a 23-point deficit to make a game out of it.
But the Road Warriors kept their poise amidst the searing Phoenix rally to escape away with a 100-95 win.
Despite the Fuel Masters absorbing a second straight loss, Garcia was gratified with the way they came back and give the Road Warriors a huge endgame scare.
"Ang layo nung hinabol namin, sayang yung chances. Nandun na kami sa game, kinapos lang talaga," said the 34-year-old former UAAP MVP.
Sponsored content:
The Fuel Masters trailed by as many as 53-30 in the first half, but clawed their way back behind a huge fourth quarter surge led by Garcia's hot shooting from the outside.
His four-point shot with three minutes left in the game gave Phoenix a 93-89 lead, before NLEX regained the upperhand behind a 7-0 run to make it a 96-93 contest.
Garcia shoved the Fuel Masters to within a basket, 96-95, but Robbie Herndon connected on a corner three to ice the game for the Road Warriors.
"Ako yung mainit. Grabe yung confidence sa akin ni coach Jamike kaya ako ang nag take over," said the Far Eastern University alumnus.
Despite the presence of young, upcoming talent at Phoenix, Garcia said he knows there's still room for a veteran player like him in the team, especially acting as mentor to the likes of Tyler Tio and Ricci Rivero.
Sponsored content:
"Kung kailangan ako sa loob, ako ang magte-take over," he added. (RG)
