Phoenix's Ricci Rivero in action. PBA Images
MANILA – The Phoenix Fuel Masters have a tall task ahead of them in the PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Standing in their way for a spot in the semifinals is Barangay Ginebra led by three-time PBA Best Import Justin Brownlee.
The seventh seed Phoenix looks to rise to the occasion after losing their last two games in the elimination round.
But aside from the mighty Gin Kings, another hurdle is the uncertainty of the return of star player Ricci Rivero.
READ: PBA: Ginebra outlasts Bol, TNT in thriller to set up q’finals clash vs. Phoenix
"Ricci will probably be a game time decision," Phoenix head coach Charles Tiu told ABS-CBN News in a message on Thursday.
"He's been getting some runs in but his hand is still very heavily taped," he responded when asked if Rivero has joined the team in practice.
Rivero has missed two games for Phoenix, after suffering a deep laceration in his right hand in their 100-97 win over the TNT Tropang 5G last May 1.
Should Rivero miss their do-or-die game against Ginebra, Tiu believes his other guards like Tyler Tio and Evan Nelle will step up.
"We've had four days to prepare for them, try and find a way to stop Brownlee and RJ. But Ginebra is a really solid team top to bottom. They have like five national team players there plus Stephen Holt. They're stacked, but the most important thing is to believe we can win this game," Tiu said.
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The young bench tactician earlier underscored the trust he has in his team, as they try to instill change and build a new culture with the Fuel Masters.
"We just told them we want to try to compete and win every game. I think we have a good enough squad to compete in the PBA. Obviously, we're not a powerhouse team like all the other top teams, but we just want to try to give ourselves a chance.
"We want to battle and we have to make sure our effort is there every game," Tiu said in March.
The talented Ginebra squad led by champion head coach Tim Cone is entering the playoffs armed with a twice-to-beat advantage over Phoenix.
Cone said they are not taking the Fuel Masters lightly, even if they won their only head-to-head encounter, 109-96, in the elimination round.
"We know we have our work cut out for us. But right now, we're just focused on playing one game," the champion bench tactician said last Sunday.
"They've been, you know, they've been good all conference long. I'm talking [about] Charles up to everybody. You know, he's doing a wonderful job over there. And [Johnathan] Williams is changing the way they play," Cone added.
During their April 12 clash, Phoenix was still reinforced by Brownlee's friend and former teammate James Dickey III.
But before the end of the elimination round, the Fuel Masters replaced the injured Dickey III with their former import Johnathan Williams.
For Ginebra, the team is looking to move closer to winning its third Commissioner's Cup crown with Brownlee.
As for Phoenix, they are gunning for a fourth semis appearance in franchise history in Tiu's first conference as head coach.