Willy Wilson will make his PBA coaching debut when Phoenix takes on TNT in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup opener.
Phoenix ushers in a new era of hope and direction as it opens its PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup campaign against TNT at the Ynares Center in Montalban Friday, Oct.10.
Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
After a disappointing Season 49, the Fuel Masters made sweeping changes from top to bottom — starting with the appointment of Willy Wilson as head coach.
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A PBA veteran known for his discipline and defensive mindset, Wilson now leads a retooled Phoenix squad aiming to reignite the franchise’s competitive fire.
The Fuel Masters' frontcourt has been reinforced with the arrivals of Yousef Taha, Prince Caperal and Dave Ando, giving the team much-needed size and physicality in the paint.
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They also retooled their backcourt, acquiring via trade Evan Nelle, James Kwekuteye and Bryan Santos — a trio expected to provide energy, ball movement and outside shooting.
While first-round pick Will Gozum remains with the Quezon Huskers in the MPBL, the team is confident that its new mix of veterans and emerging talents can spark a turnaround.
However, standing in their way is a tall challenge in the form of the championship-tested Tropang 5G, the reigning Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cup champion led by RR Pogoy, Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac.
For Phoenix, this opening clash is not just about starting strong — it is about proving that a new system and fresh leadership can finally bring the Fuel Masters back into playoff relevance.
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]