THE first few minutes of Game One of the PBA 48th Season Commissioner’s Cup saw an unconventional starting line-up for Phoenix Super LPG.
The Fuel Masters didn’t have import Johnathan Williams in the starting five as well as their big guns, with the team opting to field Raul Soyud, Chris Lalata, RR Garcia, and rookies Raffy Verano, and Ricci Rivero to begin Game One against the Hotshots.
Two minutes after the jumpball, Phoenix made a platoon substitution by inserting Williams along with Jason Perkins, Kenneth Tuffin, Tyler Tio, and Javee Mocon.
Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin said he wanted the young players to gain experience in the semifinals.
“I wanted everybody to get some semifinal experience. They did well. They jumpstarted our team,” said Jarin.
Lalata ignites offense
In that two-minute stretch, Lalata started the offense going for Phoenix, scoring a short stab following an offensive rebound.
Despite that brief moment, Jarin said it was valuable to see the young players producing even for a short spell.
“It only shows how we trust each other,” said Jarin.
The Fuel Masters nearly pulled off a win to start off the semifinal series with the Hotshots, dropping an 82-79 decision after Tyler Bey scored a three-point play in the 1:27-mark of the game.
Jarin is confident that now that all the players were able to see minutes in Game One, it will make the team better in the coming matches.
“Everybody got a semifinal experience. A little fine tuning, we will come in better,” said Jarin.
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