Phoenix Pulse Fuel coach Louie Alas was sporting a new haircut when the Fuel Masters resumed practice yesterday at The Upper Deck in Pasig City.
“It’s part of my commitment and loyalty to the team,” said Alas.
“I felt the total commitment of the team, from players to management,” he added.
Alas said commitment is what he wants from his players, a commitment on playing the 48 minutes of consistent basketball in Game 3 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series against San Miguel Beer on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After losing Game 1, 100-88, Phoenix dictated the tempo in Game 2 until SMB rallied mightily in the third to score a 92-82 victory for a 2-0 advantage in thire best-of-seven showdown.
The latest defeat gave Alas a mixture of positive and negative things, which if they can correct, he is confident they turn their fortunes around.
“Negative because I thought we’re ok already in the endgame, and yet we lost in the endgame,” said Alas.
“The positive thought about it is I know we can compete. We just have to play minimum of 48 minutes of consistent basketball. It’s not 46 or 47… it’s 48 minutes.”
“We just have to treat it possession by possession. I know that there’s no fear in our hearts and that we can compete,” Alas added.
After giving rest days last Tuesday and Wednesday, Alas said practice sessions will continue Friday and Saturday for Sunday’s Game 3.
“For us, we came in fresh. We were twice-to-beat (against Alaska) and we won in the quarterfinals. We had so many breaks and we don’t need a break. We need a win,” Alas added smiling.
