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Tag: James Dickey III

  • Phoenix stumble without James Dickey in costly loss to Converge FiberXers

    Phoenix stumble without James Dickey in costly loss to Converge FiberXers

    What started as a manageable injury concern has quickly turned into a turning point in the campaign of Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.


    In a crucial PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup clash on Sunday, Phoenix absorbed a damaging 130-103 loss to the Converge FiberXers, falling to 5-4 and slipping to sixth place—just as momentum for a quarterfinal berth was within reach.

     

    The bigger issue, however, was not just the defeat but the absence of James Dickey, whose decision to sit out due to an ankle sprain sustained in their previous 87-83 upset of Rain or Shine left a noticeable void in both effort and execution.

     

    Phoenix had initially believed the injury was something he could play through, making his absence feel like an even heavier blow in a game that carried playoff implications.

     

    “Naibaba na nga ng mga PT namin ‘yung swelling niya, pero very unfortunate na he wasn’t able to give it a try today. We could’ve used him,” said head coach Charles Tiu.

     

    Without Dickey’s presence in the paint, Phoenix struggled to match up physically with Converge, particularly against returning import Donovan Smith, who imposed his will with 32 points on 12-of-20 shooting and 12 rebounds. 

     

    The FiberXers capitalized on the interior mismatch throughout the game, controlling key stretches on their way to another statement win after previously stunning Rain or Shine, the first team to defeat them after a 7-0 start.

     

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    For Tiu, the frustration came not just from the result but from the missed opportunity.

    “Of all the games, this was the one game we had to win. Kasi, if we beat Converge, we would’ve been in the playoffs already,” he said.

     

    The absence of their defensive anchor highlighted how dependent Phoenix has become on Dickey’s two-way production this conference. 

     

    Before sitting out, he had been one of the most productive imports in the league, averaging 19.6 points, 19.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.75 blocks.

     

    Now, with Phoenix’s record slipping and their margin for error shrinking, the focus has shifted to availability and recovery. 

     

    Tiu acknowledged that while he believed Dickey could have potentially played through the injury, the final call was made with long-term health in mind.

     

    “I don’t know, man. I really can’t say. We’ll have to see. Pero, I thought it was something he could’ve probably played through. Pero I get naman, ayaw rin niyang mag-risk ng injury niya. It’s okay,” the 37-year-old coach said. 

     

    Whether the setback will force Phoenix to consider reinforcements remains unclear, but what is certain is that the timing could not be worse. With a matchup against TNT looming on Friday, the Fuel Masters now find themselves not only fighting for playoff positioning but also waiting on the condition of the player who had been central to their early success.

     

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  • Justin Brownlee admits emotional challenge facing former teammate James Dickey

    Justin Brownlee admits emotional challenge facing former teammate James Dickey

    Barangay Ginebra San Miguel continued their steady rise in the 2026 Philippine Basketball Association standings with an impressive 109–96 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Sunday, April 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    Coming into the matchup with growing momentum, Ginebra delivered another balanced offensive performance, anchored by their reliable import Justin Brownlee and rising guard RJ Abarrientos. Brownlee once again proved to be the team’s stabilizing force, pouring in 30 points while orchestrating the offense and setting the tone on both ends of the floor. Abarrientos complemented him brilliantly with 28 points of his own, showcasing his scoring versatility and confidence in crucial stretches.

     

    Local standouts Scottie Thompson and Stephen Holt also made significant contributions, finishing with 17 and 13 points, respectively. Thompson’s all-around presence and hustle plays helped Ginebra maintain control of the tempo, while Holt provided timely baskets that kept Phoenix at bay whenever they threatened to close the gap.

     

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    The contest was also highlighted by a compelling individual matchup between former Pelita Jaya teammates Brownlee and James Dickey III. While Brownlee ultimately emerged on the winning side, it was Dickey who delivered one of the most eye-catching statistical performances of the game. The Phoenix import flirted with a triple-double, finishing with a dominant line of 21 points, 21 rebounds, and nine assists—just one assist shy of a rare feat.

     

    Despite the competitive nature of the matchup, Brownlee admitted after the game that facing a close friend added a unique layer of difficulty.

    “It’s kind of hard going up against a friend or a pare. But when you get on the court, you just got to go in. He went at it and tried to go at him as hard as I can without showing that friendship. But I think it was great, it was very fun, and competitive,” Brownlee said.

     

    The veteran import also revealed that he shared a brief moment with Dickey before tip-off, encouraging him to play his usual game despite the personal connection between them.

     

    “I just told him to go out there and play your game, play hard because we are not going to take it easy on you. He had a huge game for them, he did a lot for them on both ends of the floor. He’s a tough competitor, he’s a great person, a great guy off the court. I think everybody knows I played with him in Indonesia, and he’s a great teammate,” he added.

     

    Ginebra’s latest win reflects a team that is beginning to hit its stride at a crucial point in the conference. With improved ball movement, consistent scoring options, and defensive intensity, the Gin Kings are positioning themselves as a serious contender as the elimination round progresses.

     

    For Phoenix, the loss underscores the challenge of containing high-powered offenses despite strong individual efforts. Dickey’s near triple-double performance was a bright spot, but the Fuel Masters will need more collective consistency as they look to stay in the playoff hunt.

     

    Barangay Ginebra now turn their attention to their next assignment against the Terrafirma Dyip on Saturday, April 18, at the Ynares Center. With several days to rest and regroup, Brownlee and the Gin Kings will aim to sustain their upward trajectory and further strengthen their position in the standings as the race for playoff spots intensifies.

     

     

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  • Phoenix ushers in new era with James Dickey III as import under new coach Charles Tiu 

    Phoenix ushers in new era with James Dickey III as import under new coach Charles Tiu 

    A new chapter is officially underway in Phoenix Super LPG, and it begins with a bold import choice that signals how Charles Tiu plans to reshape the Fuel Masters.

     

    James Dickey III has been locked in as Phoenix’s first reinforcement under Tiu’s watch, a move the young coach confirmed as he kicked off his tenure with the team. While the timing of the import market posed challenges, Tiu made it clear that landing Dickey was a win in itself.

     

    “It’s really not the best time of the year to get imports since the leagues in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan are already in full swing, but we’re still lucky to get James,” Tiu said.

     

    “Though he is still relatively young, he already has experience, and hopefully, with his height and athleticism, he can help us this conference.”

     

    At 6-foot-10, Dickey brings size and mobility to a Phoenix squad that is clearly leaning toward a faster, more modern style. A product of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Dickey may have gone undrafted in 2020, but his professional journey since has been anything but quiet.

     

    The American big man has built a résumé across Europe, suiting up in Hungary, Germany, Israel, France, and Ukraine before finding stability in Indonesia with Pelita Jaya. There, he spent the last two years competing at a high level and even shared the floor with Barangay Ginebra star Justin Brownlee.

     

    Before parting ways with Pelita Jaya late last year, Dickey was posting strong all-around numbers, averaging 18.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game—production Phoenix hopes will translate seamlessly to the PBA stage.

     

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    Dickey’s arrival comes amid a period of heavy transition for the Fuel Masters. Prior to Tiu taking over, the franchise moved on from several veterans, including RJ Jazul, RR Garcia, Yousef Taha, J-Jay Alejandro, Sean Manganti, and James Kwekuteye, while committing to rookie Will Gozum with a two-year contract.

     

    Despite the turnover, Tiu isn’t short on optimism.

     

    “Jason [Perkins] will still be our leader on the court, and Ricci [Rivero] impressed me so much — he’s actually much better than I thought. I think he’s going to be a huge part of our team,” he said.

     

    “I also like our point guards Tyler [Tio] and Evan [Nelle]. They can really run our system well.”

    Youth may define Phoenix on paper, but Tiu sees hunger as the equalizer.

     

    “Even if our team is younger compared to the others, we’re ready to give every team a run for their money. We want to compete hard and show that we can be a tough matchup for anyone.”

    With Dickey anchoring the middle and a retooled core buying into Tiu’s vision, Phoenix Super LPG is wasting no time making its intentions clear in this new era.

     

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