By REYNALD MAGALLON
Phoenix has bevy of young talents heading into the brand new PBA season and the team is hoping that it can rely on them to contend for at least a playoff spot in the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup
Although still in adjustment period with Jamike Jarin also getting promoted to a full-time head coaching role after serving as an interim mentor last season, Fuel Masters star Tyler Tio believes his team has the pieces to be competitive against the powerhouse teams.
“I think we have the talent, the youth and the energy. It’s just a matter of finding the right chemistry,” said the incoming second-year guard who will be joined by rookies Ricci Rivero, Ken Tuffin, Matthew Daves and Raffy Verano.
Of course, the team still has the veteran presence in the likes of RJ Jazul, RR Garcia, Jayvee Mocon and Jason Perkins.
“We have a lot of talent. Tuffin is a very good three and D guy, a very smart player, very experienced obviously coming from New Zealand for two year Parang di na siya rookie maglaro,” Tio said of Phoenix’s sixth overall pick in the recent draft.
Raffy and Matt Daves are my teammates back in Ateneo so wala naman masyadong adjustment period when it comes to them. Si Ricci naman, I have been playing against him since grade school. It’s a nice change na same team kami ngayon,” he added.
Tio, however, admitted that they are still experiencing some growing pains but he is hopeful to get over that during the pre-season and be prepared for their season debut against Terrafirma on Nov. 10.
“Adjustments period pa kamingayon pero thankfully we have a lot of tuneup games. Di pa masyadong okay yung results wala pa kaming panalo but hopefully we get that out of the way we learn from them and during the season we can make a push,” he added.
