GAME HIGHLIGHTS

FULL GAME REPLAY

Playing for Pride, Progress, and Draft Position

With their playoff hopes dashed weeks ago, the Phoenix Fuel Masters and Blackwater Bossing are shifting their focus from postseason aspirations to building momentum for next season. As both teams wrap up their campaigns in the PBA Philippine Cup this Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, the stakes may not involve a championship run, but they still carry weight—pride, growth, and draft implications.

Currently standing at 3-7 (Phoenix) and 2-8 (Blackwater), both teams are determined to end on a positive note, each hoping to secure a second straight victory that could set the tone for their off-season development. More significantly, this matchup may determine who lands the coveted No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft on September 7, a key asset for two franchises focused on long-term rebuilds.

Coaches Stay the Course

Despite a season full of frustrations and missed opportunities, both head coaches are sticking with their developmental mindset.

“The most important game is the next game,” said Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin. “Even though we’re out of the playoffs, it’s the last game of the season. We’ll play our best and continue to learn and grow.”

Jarin remains hopeful despite describing the season as “disappointing,” citing Phoenix’s tendency to blow double-digit leads and their inability to close out winnable games. Injuries to key players, inexperience, and inconsistency plagued the young squad, but Jarin still sees promise in their flashes of brilliance—highlighted by victories over top-tier teams like TNT, Meralco, and Rain or Shine.

“When we’re good, we’re really good,” he noted. “The only thing you can’t fast-track is experience.”

On the other side, Blackwater coach Jeff Cariaso echoed a similar perspective:

“We value every game, and our approach is always the same,” he said after the Bossing’s recent 97-82 win over Terrafirma. “We’re gonna be out there to end the season on a good note and then draw up the schedule for the off-season.”

Cariaso, who took over amid Blackwater’s challenging stretch, emphasized consistency and accountability as the core values of his system. While the Bossing have struggled to break out of the league’s lower tier, they showed resilience in recent outings, indicating progress in both chemistry and execution.

Glimpses of Promise Amid Growing Pains

Both teams know this season didn’t go as planned—but they aren’t walking away empty-handed. The youth-heavy rosters of Phoenix and Blackwater gained invaluable experience under pressure, and both squads managed to notch impressive wins that hint at untapped potential. Coaches are using these glimpses as fuel for the off-season grind.

The final game of the elimination round may not move the playoff needle, but it matters deeply to the players and coaching staff. It’s about building confidence, affirming progress, and carrying positive energy into the next phase of their team development.

Looking Ahead

With a critical draft pick at stake and renewed focus on off-season improvements, Phoenix and Blackwater are already planting the seeds for what they hope will be a turnaround year. Friday’s face-off might be the last act of their 2024 season, but for both franchises, it also marks the beginning of something more important—the road back to relevance.