MANILA – Phoenix Fuel Masters head coach Charles Tiu had little to say following their 100-106 loss to the Blackwater Bossing on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Fuel Masters were in the driver's seat for most of the game, creating a 15-point cushion before the end of the third quarter, 83-68.
But they had no answers when the Bossing rallied back with in the fourth quarter, erupting for an 11-0 run led by Sedrick Barefield and Troy Malilin.
Phoenix tried to rise up in the crucial stretch, but Blackwater ended up outscoring their opponents 29-14 in the final frame to snap their three-game skid.
READ: PBA: Blackwater pulls away from Phoenix, ends 3-game slide
Tiu expressed frustration over the team's performance in the fourth quarter, which ultimately led to their second loss.
"We forgot how to play basketball, I don't know what we were doing. We had turnovers in the [fourth] quarter. Five possessions in a row, we threw the ball and I don't know what we were doing. Mind-boggling, but yeah, we choked, we collapsed, we sucked," he told reporters after the defeat.
"Blackwater played well, they made the right adjustments. We didn't have answers, we couldn't score, I don't know what we were doing in the fourth quarter. Because it looked like we were pretty much in control for close to the three quarters," Tiu added.
Tiu said this was not the way they wanted to start the second round, where each game is crucial to advancing to the playoffs.
"We needed this game, no disrespect to Blackwater, but we really needed this game. Now we're going to have to earn it the hard way. We have four teams, the perennial playoff contenders yun yung mga makakalaban namin. Obviously, it's going to be tough for us," the young bench tactician said.
With the result, Phoenix lost the solo lead and is now tied with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters with a 4-2 record in Group B.
Tiu emphasized how crucial every game is given the current format of the season-ending conference.
"I'd like to think we need to win at least two games to have a chance to make it to the playoffs. Obviously, you know, Meralco they're struggling. They've had a lot of guys out and sick, but we know they're going to figure it out eventually. So we just have to worry about ourselves," he explained.
"Now we have to pull off an upset. Again, we're underdogs in every game. But today, we didn't play smart basketball. It's really frustrating. So, I don't know. We have too much words right now," Tiu said.
The loss comes as a familiar face in former Phoenix player Matthew Wright was in attendance, even visiting the team's dugout after the game.
"It was nice. I'd love to have him on the bench. Not behind us on the bench, but it is what it is. Hopefully, one day, I'll get the chance to coach Matt again here in the PBA," Tiu said of Wright's appearance.
"Again, it's a big boost [to have Wright around]. He's still close to a lot of the guys sila [Jason] Perkins. But he's going back to Japan. But tingnan natin after. Sana makabalik siya sa Phoenix," he added.
Up next for Phoenix is Rain or Shine on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
"We need to find a way to win, to be physical, to stop [Aaron] Fuller because they bullied us, they manhandled us. I mean, Blackwater also bullied us. So, sana pumalag kami atin di kami maging malambot," Tiu said.
"We want to change our mindset. We just have to be tougher, especially against a tough physical team like Rain or Shine," he pointed out.