After falling short in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, the Phoenix Super LPG Fuelmasters are determined to make a stronger push in the upcoming Governors’ Cup, which officially tips off on July 10.
One of the team’s key players, Phoenix guard Ricci Rivero, enters the season-ending conference carrying bigger expectations after showing flashes of becoming one of the league’s premier local scorers.
His performance in the Commissioner’s Cup drew praise from Fuel Masters head coach Charles Tiu, who believes Rivero is beginning to embrace a larger responsibility within the team’s system.
“Ricci’s been getting there. He knows the role I have for him and what I expect of him so I’m hoping he’ll be up for the challenge,” Tiu said.
Rivero carried much of Phoenix’s offensive workload throughout the previous conference, delivering timely scoring performances whenever the team needed a lift.
“Obviously, I want him to be a bit more consistent. That’s a challenge for him if he really wants to be considered as a star of this league, he has to be that on both ends,” he added.
Unfortunately, Rivero’s campaign was cut short after suffering a finger injury, forcing him to miss the latter stages of the import-laden tournament.
“He’s shown flashes of what he can be but he also showed areas where he’s just okay but hopefully, he shows that he can be consistent.”
For Tiu, consistency remains the final piece for Rivero to elevate his game to another level.
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Rivero is expected to spearhead Phoenix’s backcourt once again alongside Tyler Tio, while former NBA veteran BJ Johnson takes over as the Fuel Masters’ import for the Governors’ Cup.
Another boost for the Fuel Masters is the return of veteran big man Justin Chua, who rejoins Phoenix after spending the past several seasons with TNT Tropang 5G. Chua’s familiarity with the Phoenix system gives the Fuel Masters another experienced presence as they aim to make a deeper run in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
The upcoming conference presents a fresh opportunity for Rivero to build on what was arguably his most productive stretch in the PBA.
During the Commissioner’s Cup, the former UAAP standout emerged as one of Phoenix’s most reliable local options and even erupted for a career-high 40 points in one game, the highest scoring performance by a Filipino player during the conference.
That offensive explosion showed Rivero’s ability to take over games and gave Phoenix another dependable weapon alongside its veterans.
Beyond the scoring numbers, Rivero also made his presence felt in the Best Player of the Conference race, finishing among the leading local performers in the statistical standings despite missing games because of injury.
His all-around contributions on offense and defense have reinforced the coaching staff’s confidence that he can become one of the franchise’s cornerstone players if he sustains that level of play throughout an entire conference.
As the Governors’ Cup approaches, Phoenix hopes greater continuity and improved health will translate into better results after its Commissioner’s Cup campaign ended earlier than expected.
With Johnson expected to anchor the import duties, Chua’s expected defense and rebounding and the backcourt tandem of Rivero and Tyler Tio leading the locals, the Fuel Masters believe they have enough firepower to compete for a deeper playoff run in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
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