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Tag: Phoenix Fuel Masters

  • Charles Tiu happy with rookie’s Will Gozum’s progress in Phoenix blowout win over Titan Ultra

    Charles Tiu happy with rookie’s Will Gozum’s progress in Phoenix blowout win over Titan Ultra

    The Phoenix Fuel Masters continued their impressive start to the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup campaign, improving to a perfect record after securing a dominant 109–76 victory over the Titan Ultra Giant Risers on Sunday, March 16 at the Ynares Center.

     

    Phoenix showcased a balanced offensive performance and suffocating defense to pull away comfortably, maintaining control of the game from the second quarter onward. The Fuel Masters’ depth was on full display as multiple players stepped up to contribute, allowing the team to maintain its momentum and energy throughout the contest.

     

    Among those who capitalized on the opportunity was rookie forward Will Gozum, who delivered a productive stint off the bench. In 14 minutes of action, Gozum tallied seven points, two assists, and one rebound, providing a spark for the Fuel Masters during a key stretch of the game. The performance was particularly notable considering that Gozum did not see the floor in Phoenix’s opening victory over the Magnolia Hotshots earlier in the tournament.

     

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    With the team already boasting a competitive rotation on the wings, opportunities have been limited for the rookie. However, circumstances opened the door in this matchup after veteran forward Jason Perkins was dealing with Achilles discomfort, prompting head coach Charles Tiu to give Gozum a chance to prove himself.

    Following the game, Tiu explained the decision during the postgame press conference while also acknowledging the challenges Gozum faces in carving out consistent minutes in a crowded lineup.

     

    “With Perkins being questionable, sabi ko sige, we will give him a chance. I told Will from the start, it’s tough kasi here in the PBA, he is playing the wings, and I got guys like Ricci Rivero, Kenneth Tuffin. Even si Kai Ballungay, he plays in the wings. So it’s going to be tough for him to get that minutes,” Tiu said in the postmatch press conference.

     

    The Phoenix coach also noted that Gozum’s development has been gradual since joining the squad, pointing out that the rookie initially needed time to adjust to the pace and demands of the professional game. Despite the early challenges, Tiu expressed satisfaction with the progress he has seen from the young forward in recent weeks.

     

    “Lately, he has been better. Nung unang dating niya sa team to be honest, he really looks rusty, and he really looks out of it. But still he is trying to pick up. I’m happy he was able to contribute and score a little bit today. This guy works hard and kami, we want to give everybody a chance here to play,” he added.

     

    While Gozum’s role moving forward remains uncertain, his performance against the Titan Ultra Giant Risers provided a glimpse of the potential depth Phoenix possesses this conference. For a team looking to maintain its strong start in the Commissioner’s Cup, contributions from players throughout the roster could prove vital as the competition intensifies in the coming weeks.

     

    With two convincing wins to open their campaign, the Fuel Masters will look to sustain their momentum and continue building chemistry as they navigate the early stages of the tournament. If the team’s depth continues to produce performances like Sunday’s outing, Phoenix could emerge as one of the early contenders in the conference.

     

     

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  • Magnolia, Phoenix seek fresh start in Commissioner’s Cup; Blackwater, NLEX clash in early test

    Magnolia, Phoenix seek fresh start in Commissioner’s Cup; Blackwater, NLEX clash in early test

    Two teams looking to rewrite their recent fortunes collide when the Magnolia Hotshots and the Phoenix Fuel Masters open their campaigns in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

     

    Magnolia enters the 7:30 p.m. main game eager to bounce back after falling short of the semifinals in the Philippine Cup. The Hotshots finished sixth in the eliminations before being eliminated by the TNT Tropang 5G, 118-109, in the quarterfinals—marking a disappointing end to their first conference under head coach LA Tenorio.

     

    Meanwhile, Phoenix hopes to quickly move past a difficult All-Filipino campaign where the Fuel Masters finished 10th with a 3-8 record.

     

    Both squads will lean heavily on their imports in the early going. Magnolia is banking on the inside presence of Terrell Brown-Soares, a 6-foot-10 big man known for his rim protection and rebounding, along with a perimeter touch that has impressed in stints across Europe.

     

    The Fuel Masters counter with their own interior anchor in James Dickey, another 6-foot-10 veteran who has built a strong international résumé with stops in Germany, Israel, and Indonesia after a decorated college career at UNC Greensboro. Dickey left the Spartans as the school’s all-time leader in rebounds with 1,060 while ranking second in blocks with 222.

     

    Phoenix is also ushering in a new era with Charles Tiu making his debut as a PBA head coach. Tiu, who previously won championships in the NCAA and the Jones Cup, will look to guide a roster featuring familiar names such as Jason Perkins, Kai Ballungay, Tyler Tio, Ken Tuffin, Ricci Rivero, and Evan Nelle.

     

     

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    Also joining the team is rookie Will Gozum, the eighth overall pick in the Season 50 draft and a former cornerstone player under Tiu during their championship run with St. Benilde.

     

    Earlier in the evening, the Blackwater Bossing and the NLEX Road Warriors square off in the 5:15 p.m. curtain raiser.

     

    Blackwater will lean on high-scoring guard Sedrick Barefield, who averaged 19.2 points per game in the previous conference to finish among the league’s top scorers.

     

    Across the floor, NLEX will turn to its floor general Robert Bolick, who led the league in assists last conference while also serving as the Road Warriors’ offensive engine. Bolick has repeatedly shown his ability to take over games, including a 20-point outing that powered NLEX to a win over Blackwater in a previous meeting.

     

    Supporting Bolick are key contributors such as Kevin Alas and JB Bahio, whose balanced production has helped NLEX maintain a competitive edge in recent matchups against the Bossing.

     

    With both games marking the start of new campaigns, the opening night matchups offer four teams a chance to quickly set the tone for what promises to be a tightly contested Commissioner’s Cup.

     

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  • Charles Tiu sets modest playoff goal as Phoenix prepares for PBA Commissioner’s Cup

    Charles Tiu sets modest playoff goal as Phoenix prepares for PBA Commissioner’s Cup

    The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) shifts its spotlight to the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup beginning March 11, with TNT Tropang Giga returning as the defending champions and early favorites to repeat. As the league’s mid-season conference approaches, storylines are beginning to take shape — and one of the most intriguing narratives centers on the rebuilding bid of the Phoenix Fuel Masters under new head coach Charles Tiu.

     

    After missing the playoffs in five consecutive conferences, Phoenix enters the tournament with renewed optimism and a fresh voice at the helm. Tiu, who will be handling his first conference with the franchise, understands both the urgency and the patience required in turning the team into a contender.

     

    His objectives are grounded, but clear.

     

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    “The modest goal would be to make the playoffs first. They haven’t made the playoffs in five conferences. So that’s the first step, kahit maka-quarters muna. Then let’s see. We will build by then,” Tiu said in a media interaction.

     

    For a franchise eager to regain relevance, simply breaking into the quarterfinals would mark meaningful progress. Yet Tiu is not shying away from bigger aspirations — he is simply choosing a methodical path toward them.

    “Siyempre, our dream is to win a championship. Any coach would want that. But I think we have to start building slowly, make the quarters, and maybe make the semis. But that would be the first goal, to try to make the playoffs,” he added.

     

    Phoenix will lean on a youthful core as it attempts to snap its postseason drought. Among the key figures is forward Jason Perkins, one of the few remaining players from the Fuel Masters squad that last reached the playoffs during the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup. That campaign saw Phoenix make a spirited run to the semifinals behind the reinforcement of import Johnathan Williams — a benchmark the current roster hopes to replicate or surpass.

     

    While the team remains a work in progress, Tiu has expressed confidence in the talent and experience within his lineup. Despite the youth movement, he believes the group possesses enough maturity and coaching foundation to adapt to his system.

     

    “To me, a lot of these guys are experienced. They also came from good coaches. So it’s just about playing the way that I want and playing the right way for us. I’m enjoying the team so far, to be honest. I like the way we have been practicing, we have been playing. Pero so far, I think the team is gelling well. Obviously, it’s just a preseason so it’s too early to tell. A lot of positives for me. Hopefully, we can continue to build in the season,” Tiu concluded.

     

    Training camp has reportedly been competitive and detail-oriented, with emphasis on defensive discipline and ball movement — hallmarks of Tiu’s coaching philosophy. The early returns have been encouraging, but as the first tip-off approaches, the real test will come against battle-tested PBA opponents.

     

    For Phoenix, the mission is straightforward: take the first step back into contention. In a conference where expectations range from title defenses to rebuilds, the Fuel Masters are positioning themselves somewhere in between — not yet contenders, but no longer content with simply participating.

     

    With a new coach, a developing core, and a clearly defined short-term goal, Phoenix enters the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup determined to turn incremental growth into tangible results. Whether that translates into a long-awaited playoff return will unfold beginning March 11.

     

     

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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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  • Phoenix Fuel Masters insider signals massive team shakeup 

    Phoenix Fuel Masters insider signals massive team shakeup 

    A major transformation appears to be on the horizon for the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.

    Sources close to the team say a sweeping roster and management shakeup is imminent, just after Charles Tiu was officially named head coach.Six players, led by James Kwekuteye and veteran RJ Jazul, are reportedly set to be released into unrestricted free agency, signaling a bold reset for the struggling PBA franchise.

     

    Joining Jazul and Kwekuteye on the expected free agent list are Jayjay Alejandro, Yousef Taha, Sean Manganti, and RR Garcia. The six have allegedly been removed from team group chats and instructed not to report for practice, which was rescheduled to Wednesday following delays in announcing Tiu’s designation.

     

    “Dinelay nila yung announcement. Ewan ko bakit. Pero dapat kahapon pa yan. Dapat nga Friday pa nila gagawin ang announcement para lumamig ‘yung nag-leak na info sa inyo,” said a source familiar with the situation.

     

    The shakeup coincides with ownership and management changes. The team is now backed by Davao businessman Glenn Escandor, father of Phoenix guard Francis Escandor, while the previous management group steps into a more passive role. 

     

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    Sources added that Phoenix is also exploring trades involving Ricci Rivero, Jason Perkins, Tyler Tio, and Ken Tuffin, as well as negotiations for rookie draft picks Joshua David and CJ Austria from Rain or Shine and Titan Ultra. Filipino-Italian guard JC Cullar is also expected to rejoin the team as a free agent.

     

    The Fuel Masters, who joined the PBA in 2016 by acquiring the Barako Bull franchise, have struggled in recent seasons. Despite reaching the semifinals of the 2023–24 Commissioner’s Cup under Jamike Jarin, Phoenix has not made the playoffs since and finished 3–8 in its lone conference under former coach Willy Wilson.

     

    With Tiu now at the helm, insiders say the franchise is looking to reset its course entirely — a bold signal that Phoenix is not just changing coaches, but aiming to redefine the team’s future.

     

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  • Charles Tiu finally gets his shot as PBA head coach with Phoenix 

    Charles Tiu finally gets his shot as PBA head coach with Phoenix 

    For Charles Tiu, the head coaching job at Phoenix is less a sudden promotion and more the culmination of a journey that has quietly stretched across a decade and a half.

     

    The Fuel Masters confirmed Tuesday that Tiu has accepted the vacant head coaching post, an appointment finalized Monday evening. At 37, he finally steps into a role many in basketball circles felt was inevitable, given his extensive résumé built in the shadows of some of the sport’s most respected tacticians.

     

    “I’m just a simple guy from Xavier School, and now I get another chance to compete against the best coaches in the country and to coach some of the best players as well. That makes this opportunity truly exciting,” Tiu told Tiebreaker Times, as he became the first Xaverian to be named a PBA head coach.

     

    Tiu’s coaching roots trace back to the national team, where he cut his teeth as a deputy to Rajko Toroman with Gilas Pilipinas from 2009 to 2011. From there, he navigated the PBA landscape as an assistant under Bo Perasol at Powerade before rejoining Toroman at Barako Bull, experiences that shaped his grounding in professional basketball.

     

    While his PBA roles were largely behind the scenes, Tiu’s name steadily grew louder elsewhere. In 2018, he guided Go For Gold to the PBA D-League Foundation Cup title, a breakthrough moment that hinted at his readiness to lead. His reputation only expanded overseas, where he handled high-profile international squads.

     

    With Mighty Sports, Tiu delivered championships at the 2019 William Jones Cup and the 2020 Dubai International Basketball Championship. He later carried that success to Strong Group Athletics, steering the program to back-to-back William Jones Cup titles in 2024 and 2025 — a rare feat that further solidified his standing as a program builder.

     

     

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    His return to the PBA in 2021 saw him working under Norman Black at Meralco, followed by a lead assistant role at Converge in 2024. Yet even with years of preparation, the call to take over Phoenix still came as a surprise.

     

    “I’m happy to have the opportunity to coach in the PBA again. I never expected or imagined that I would be here at all — this was totally unplanned. I actually had quite a few vacation trips scheduled this year, which I guess we’ll have to cancel for now,” Tiu said with a laugh.

     

    Tiu replaces Willy Wilson, whose contract was not renewed after a single conference that ended with Phoenix posting a 3–8 record. The challenge awaiting him is clear: the Fuel Masters have missed the playoffs in five straight conferences, a drought the new coach is determined to end.

     

    “To be honest, the first goal is to make the playoffs. I think the team hasn’t reached the playoffs in the last five conferences, so we’ll try to break that streak,” he said.

     

    Balancing his duties as concurrent head coach of College of St. Benilde, Tiu will be joined on the Phoenix bench by TY Tang and Paolo Layug, alongside holdovers Paolo Dizon and Jon Jacinto — a mix of familiarity and fresh voices aimed at resetting the franchise.

     

    As he embarks on his first PBA head coaching assignment, Tiu was quick to acknowledge the people who shaped his path.

     

    “I’m just thankful to Boss Dennis Uy and Boss RTZ (Atty. Raymond Zorilla) for the trust, and of course to the people in my life who have guided me and taken a chance on me — the Benilde community; Boss Frank Lao of SGA; Boss Dennis Uy and Gov. Delta (Pineda) from Converge; Coach Norman Black; Caesar Wongchuking of Mighty Sports; Boss JB Baylon of Powerade; and Coach Rajko, who gave me my first break,” he shared.

     

    Now, after years of preparation across leagues and continents, Tiu finally gets his chance to put his own imprint on the PBA — with Phoenix serving as both his proving ground and his long-awaited opportunity.

     

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  • Phoenix turns the page as Willy Wilson’s one-conference run comes to an end

    Phoenix turns the page as Willy Wilson’s one-conference run comes to an end

    Change has come swiftly for the Phoenix Fuel Masters.

     

    Willy Wilson’s tenure as head coach ended as quickly as it began, with the former PBA standout not renewed following Phoenix’s 2025–26 PBA Philippine Cup campaign, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. What was envisioned as a new chapter instead became a brief stopover—one conference that served more as an evaluation period than a long-term partnership.

     

    A team insider shared that Phoenix management is still in the process of assessing the rest of the coaching staff, signaling that the changes may not stop with Wilson’s departure.

     

    Wilson was appointed head coach during the offseason, taking over from Jamike Jarin, who transitioned into the role of team consultant. 

     

    The move was meant to inject a different voice and perspective into the Fuel Masters’ program, with Wilson bringing both professional playing experience and years of coaching exposure to the bench.

     

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    In his lone conference at the helm, Phoenix struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 3–8 record and placing 10th overall. While the results fell short, Wilson’s time with the team coincided with a period of adjustment, as the Fuel Masters continued to search for a stable identity amid roster and system changes.

     

    Before joining Phoenix, Wilson quietly built a solid coaching résumé in the local basketball scene. A former PBA pro himself, he paid his dues in the collegiate and developmental ranks, earning respect as a detail-oriented coach known for emphasizing fundamentals, player accountability, and defensive discipline. 

     

    His background made him an intriguing choice for a Phoenix squad aiming to develop talent while remaining competitive.

     

    Now, the Fuel Masters appear set to pivot again.

     

    Sources indicate that Phoenix is turning its attention to the collegiate ranks in search of its next head coach, a move that suggests the franchise is prioritizing long-term program building and player development.

     

    The Fuel Masters are scheduled to open their year with their first team practice on January 19, a date that could also mark the start of another transition phase. With the season approaching, Phoenix faces familiar questions—about leadership, direction, and stability—as it once again reshapes its coaching blueprint.

     

     

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