SURPRISE co-league leader Mahindra gets the chance to continue wowing the league and grab solo leadership when its joyride resumes in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
The scorching-hot Enforcers (4-0) shoot for their fifth straight win when they take on a rejuvenated Phoenix Fuel (1-3) at 4:15 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Capping the double-header is an important battle between struggling teams Star and NLEX, which are also toting a dismal 1-3 card like Phoenix, at 7 p.m. as both of them are in dire need of a victory.
Currently tied with fellow unbeaten TNT Katropa (4-0) at the top of the pack through its best start in franchise history, Mahindra can go further as it now has the opportunity to go for solo first place.
Enforcers’ deputy head coach Chris Gavina shared the approach that has given Mahindra its initial success.
“Coming into this conference, we really wanted to be extremely prepared and it is paying off,” said Gavina. “We have our skills honed for any kind of environment we’re going to face.”
The Enforcers will continue to miss the services of ace point guard LA Revilla, who is recovering from a broken nose.
Mahindra’s meeting with a reenergized Fuel Masters’ side is intriguing as Phoenix got a new lease on life through its prolific new reinforcement, Eugene Phelps, who had a sensational debut.
He scored a season-high 52 points to give Phoenix its first win of the conference, a 120-107 rout of hapless GlobalPort last July 31.
Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia admitted that the addition of the talented Phelps instantly uplifts his team’s play.
“Malaking bagay ‘yung import sa laro namin. He showed in his first game why he’s the destroyer by scoring 52,” said Vanguardia of the impact of Phelps.
Like Phoenix, Star is hoping that its import change can inject some much-needed boost and help its cause against NLEX and in its games ahead.
With a heavy heart, the Hotshots, due to their cold start, decided to let go longtime resident import Marqus Blakely, replacing him with Joel Wright, an NBA D-League veteran.
The Hotshots and the Road Warriors are both out-of-sync so far this conference.
NLEX, which lost to TNT Katropa, 101-95, the last time out, is on the tail-end of a three-game slide after winning its opener, while Star suffered a 109-100 setback at the hands of San Miguel Beer in its last game.
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:15 p.m. – Mahindra vs. Phoenix
7 p.m. – Star vs. NLEX