Phoenix ended a 10-game losing skid against San Miguel and the Fuel Masters look to build on the confidence-boosting scalp as they take on NLEX in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
Fresh off a morale-boosting victory over defending champion San Miguel, the Phoenix Fuel Masters look to build on their momentum when they face the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Tip off is at 7:30 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
[RELATED STORY: Wilson on Phoenix's SMB stunner: 'We can beat a champion team’]
Phoenix (1-1) snapped a 10-game losing skid to San Miguel with an impressive 109-103 triumph — a win that also marked coach Willy Wilson’s first as a PBA head coach.
Ricci Rivero spearheaded the effort with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Tyler Tio and Kai Ballungay added 14 apiece, with the latter also grabbing eight boards.
Wilson credited his team’s belief as the key to overcoming a championship-caliber opponent.
“It's just knowing that we have the ability to beat a champion team like SMB,” he said. “For the players to actually know that this team is capable, that's big.”
Now, the Fuel Masters aim to sustain their newfound confidence as they take on an NLEX squad (1-1) reeling from a 97-91 upset loss to Terrafirma.
A second straight win would mark a strong statement for Wilson’s rebuilding squad early in the conference.
(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.]