Lackadaisical the last time, the Phoenix Fuel Masters are convinced they need not just to double but triple their effort if they're to stand a chance against the Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok Hotshots in a Petron Blaze Saturday showdown at the Cuneta Astrodome.
"Grabe nilalaro ng Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok. Kung kapareho ng laro namin last time ang ilalaro uli namin, first quarter pa lang talo na kami," said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.
The Fuel Masters dropped their last game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (99-120) while the Hotshots won their last two games against the Kia Picanto and the NLEX Road Warriors - both in a smashing fashion.
The Hotshots shoot for a fourth win in five games in all in the PBA Philippine Cup as they tangle with the Fuel Masters in their 6:45 p.m. face-off.
Coach Chito Victolero said they can't take the Fuel Masters for granted.
"If we want to keep our winning ways, we have to keep our composure, execution and mental toughness," said Victolero.
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"We need to minimize our turnovers and continue to play together as a team. Defensively, we need to be consistent on our pressure defense and in getting the rebounds," Victolero added.
The Hotshots did all these in their 124-77 walloping of the Picanto and in their 105-94 toppling of the Road Warriors.
Phoenix had shown maturity and cohesion in back-to-back wins versus Kia and NLEX before floundering in a loss to the Elasto Painters.
The Fuel Masters obviously lacked effort on defense.
Before their Sunday game, the E-Painters averaged only 79.6 points. Through the third quarter against Phoenix, the E-Painters had put in 98 on an impressive 56.5 shooting. Chris Tiu and his teammates hit as high as 72.7 percent in the opening quarter.
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"Kung ganon uli effort namin, laging sasaluhin namin ang bola sa net ng Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok," said Alas.
