Phoenix Fuel Masters

Last updated

Phoenix Fuel Masters
Basketball current event.svg 2024–25 Phoenix Fuel Masters season
Phoenix Fuel Masters 2024 logo.png
Founded2016
HistoryPhoenix Fuel Masters (2016–2018, 2024–present)
Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters (2019)
Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (2020–2024)
Team colorsRed, blue, yellow, black, white
     
Company Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.
Board governor Raymond Zorrilla
Team manager Paolo Bugia
Sheila Briones (assistant)
Head coach Jamike Jarin
Ownership Dennis Ang Uy
Website www.phoenixfuels.ph/phoenix-fuel-masters/

The Phoenix Fuel Masters is a professional basketball team owned by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc., which debuted in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in the 2016 Commissioner's Cup. The franchise began after the company acquired the second Barako Bull team in January 2016.

Contents

History

In March 2011, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc., a sponsor of the PBA games, had expressed interest in acquiring a PBA franchise and were in talks to acquire the franchise of the original Barako Bull Energy Boosters team (owned by the Energy Food and Drink, Inc.). [1] For the sale to proceed, a two-thirds approval from the PBA Board of Governors was needed (7 out of 10 votes). [2] However, it failed to get the necessary number of votes. [3] Reportedly, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) intended to rename its PBA team as the Petron Blaze Boosters for the 2011 PBA Governors Cup, hence its objection to the proposed entry of Phoenix Petroleum, a business competitor of Petron, in 2011. [4] SMC reverted to playing as the San Miguel Beermen in 2014.

In July 2011, the PBA franchise of the original Barako Bull Energy Boosters was acquired by the Lina Group of Companies (Alberto Lina), owner of the original Air21 Express team, reportedly for 50 million pesos. [5] The franchise went on to play as the Shopinas.com Clickers [6] and, later, as the second Air21 Express team. In June 2014, the Lina Group sold this franchise to Manila North Tollways Corporation and became the NLEX Road Warriors. [7] [8]

The Start Of Fuel Masters

Phoenix Fuel Masters' logo used during the 2016 Commissioner's Cup Phoenix Fuelmasters logo.png
Phoenix Fuel Masters' logo used during the 2016 Commissioner's Cup
Phoenix Fuel Masters' logo used from 2016 to 2018. Phoenix Fuelmasters logo v2.png
Phoenix Fuel Masters' logo used from 2016 to 2018.
Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters' logo used in 2019. Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters logo 2019.png
Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters' logo used in 2019.
Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters' logo used from 2020 to 2024. Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters logo.png
Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters' logo used from 2020 to 2024.

In January 2016, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. sealed a deal to acquire the team known as the second Barako Bull team (also known as the original Air21 Express team) from the Lina Group, reportedly in the amount of 100 million pesos. [9] The PBA board of governors unanimously approved the sale on January 20, 2016. In addition, the board also gave its approval for Phoenix Petroleum to play in the 2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup instead of waiting until the 2016–17 PBA season. [10] The coaching staff, players' contracts and contractual obligations will be carried over by the new owners. [11]

On February 10, 2016, the Phoenix Fuel Masters officially announced their entry into the PBA with a press conference, followed by the unveiling of their new uniforms, held at Novotel Manila in Araneta Center, Cubao. [12] The Fuel Masters debuted in the PBA with a 118–106 win over the NLEX Road Warriors at the 2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup, with Nigerian Kenny Adeleke as import. [13] After four games, he was waived and Kevinn Pinkney took his place as the team reinforcement.

On May 31, 2016, Phoenix announced the appointment of Westports Malaysia Dragons head coach Ariel Vanguardia as the new head coach of the team. He will take over the position formerly occupied by Banal. [14]

Wright - Perkins Tandem (2016 - 2018)

The Fuel Masters drafted Matthew Wright and Jason Perkins as its first superstars. However, the team struggled to win games and did not win a single game in its first four appearances in the quarterfinals.

Calvin Abueva and Achieving Success (2018 - 2020)

On August 7, 2018, 10 days before the start of the Governors' Cup, the Fuel Masters traded Karl Dehesa and a draft pick for 2019 in exchange for Calvin Abueva. He along with Wright, Perkins and import Eugene Phelps led the team to its first twice to beat advantage berth in the quarterfinals after posting an 8–3 record in the eliminations but lost both games to the Meralco Bolts.

During the Philippine Cup of the following season, the team changed colors and logo from red and silver to black and red. They clinched the top seed and a consecutive twice to beat advantage in the quarterfinals with a 9–2 record. They defeated the Alaska Aces 91–76 before losing to the eventual champion San Miguel Beermen five games in the semifinals. Abueva got suspended indefinitely in June 2019 due to two infractions: clotheslining TNT KaTropa import Terrence Jones and doing obscene gestures to the girlfriend of Blackwater Elite player Bobby Parks Jr..

During the pandemic-shortened 2020 Philippine Cup bubble tournament, the team under the name Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, paraded teal and blue as its colors and a new team logo. Topex Robinson was elevated to full-time head coach replacing Louie Alas and Willy Wilson joined the coaching staff after playing three seasons for the team. Abueva was allowed to re-join the roster in October 2020 after undergoing tests imposed by the league. The Fuel Master clinched a twice to beat advantage as the 2nd seed with an 8–3 record in the eliminations. They won against the Magnolia Hotshots 89–88 before losing to the TNT Tropang Giga two games to three in the semifinals. Several players won awards at the end of the tournament including Abueva and Wright as part of the Elite Five, RJ Jazul as Mr. Quality Minutes, Justin Chua as Defensive Player of the Tournament. Chua and Abueva also won as members of the All Bubble D-Fenders team. Veteran JC Intal retired at season's end.

Current roster

Phoenix Fuel Masters roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#POBNameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY–MM–DD)From
C 1 Flag of the Philippines.svg Muyang, Larry 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)220 lb (100 kg)1995–06–04 Letran
F 2 Flag of the United States.svg Manganti, Sean 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)1994–04–18 Adamson
F 3 Flag of the United States.svg Perkins, Jason 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)235 lb (107 kg)1992–09–20 De La Salle
C 4 Flag of the Philippines.svg Soyud, Raul 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)222 lb (101 kg)1991–01–14 Philippines
F 5 Flag of the Philippines.svg Ular, Ato 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)196 lb (89 kg)1995–05–04 Letran
G 8 Flag of the Philippines.svg Garcia, RR 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)165 lb (75 kg)1990–01–12 Far Eastern
G 9 Flag of the Philippines.svg Alejandro, Jjay 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)165 lb (75 kg)1995–04–13 National-U
F/C 10 Flag of the United States.svg Ballungay, Kai  (R)6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)215 lb (98 kg)2001–11–16 Ateneo
F/C 12 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Daves, Matthew 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)235 lb (107 kg) Ateneo
G 13 Flag of the Philippines.svg Jazul, RJ  (C)5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)170 lb (77 kg)1986–04–11 Letran
F 15 Flag of the Philippines.svg Camacho, Simon 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Adamson
G 18 Flag of the Philippines.svg Salado, Kent 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)1994–11–10 Arellano
G 19 Flag of the Philippines.svg Tio, Tyler 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg)1998–04–05 Ateneo
F 20 Flag of New Zealand.svg Tuffin, Kenneth 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)1997–05–05 Far Eastern
F 22 Flag of the United States.svg Verano, Raffy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)200 lb (91 kg) Ateneo
G 25 Flag of the Philippines.svg Rivero, Ricci 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)146 lb (66 kg)1998–05–25 Philippines
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Team manager


Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (CI) Commissioner's Cup Import
  • (GI) Governors' Cup Import
  • (EI) EASL Import
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • (R) Rookie
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Roster

Players of note

Imports

Awards

Individual awards

PBA Rookie of the Year Award
PBA All-Defensive Team
PBA Mythical First Team
PBA Mythical Second Team
PBA Best Import

PBA Press Corps Individual Awards

PBA Defensive Player of the YearMr. Quality MinutesAll-Rookie Team

All-Star Weekend

All-Star MVPSlam Dunk ContestAll-Star Selection

2017

2018

2019

2024

Front Office

Coaches

Topex Robinson and the Fuel Masters during a timeout. PBA - 2021 - Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters huddle - Topex Robinson.jpg
Topex Robinson and the Fuel Masters during a timeout.
Phoenix Fuel Masters Head Coaches
#NameStartEndRegular SeasonPlayoffsBest FinishAchievements
GCWLWin%GCWLWin%
Koy Banal 2016 2016 1138.273000–N/AN/A
Ariel Vanguardia 2016 2017 441727.386514.200QuarterfinalsQuarterfinals
Louie Alas 2017 2019 663333.500716.857SemifinalsSemifinals
Topex Robinson 2020 2023 562630.464835.375SemifinalsSemifinals
Jamike Jarin 2023 present–725.286SemifinalsSemifinals
Assistant coachesTeam ManagerBoard GovernorAlternate Governor
  • Dennis Ang Uy (2016–18)
  • Raymond T. Zorrilla (2019 – present)
  • Raymond T. Zorrilla (2016 – present)

Season-by-season records

Records from the 2024–25 PBA season:
Conf. Team nameElimination roundPlayoffs
FinishWLPCTStageResults
GOV Phoenix Fuel Masters6th in Group B19.100Did not qualify
COM 12th/1339.250
PHI TBDTBDTBD–TBDTBD
Total elimination round418.182TBD
Total playoffsTBDTBD–TBD
Total 2024–25418.182TBD
Total franchise107156.4070 Championships

*one-game playoff
**team had the twice-to-beat advantage

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Beltran, Nelson (March 22, 2011). "Barako Bull opts to leave PBA". Philippine Star . Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  2. ↑ Phoenix needs PBA board's approval for purchase of Barako, GMA News Online, March 1, 2011
  3. ↑ most-but-not-quite-no-phoenix-petroleum-in-pro-league-for-now Al most, but not quite: No Phoenix Petroleum in pro league — for now, Rey Joble, GMA News Online, March 29, 2011
  4. ↑ Phoenix Petroleum’s PBA entry a big concern for San Miguel, Rey Joble, GMA News Online, March 14, 2011
  5. ↑ Beltran, Nelson (July 9, 2011). "Board okays Lina takeover of Barako, TV5 pact". Philippine Star . Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  6. ↑ Beltran, Nelson (July 16, 2011). "Kings to ship Miller to Express for Canaleta". Philippine Star . Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  7. ↑ NLEX reaches deal to acquire Air 21 franchise, awaits league approval Archived June 26, 2014, at the Wayback Machine , Rey Joble, InterAksyon.com, June 23, 2014
  8. ↑ PBA approval of Air21's sale to NLEX clears way for Joseph Yeo trade to Ginebra for draft pick, Snow Badua, spin.ph, June 26, 2014
  9. ↑ Beltran, Nelson (January 19, 2016). "Barako Bull, Phoenix agree on sale of PBA franchise". The Philippine Star . Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  10. ↑ PBA Board OKs sale of Barako Bull, PBA.inquirer.net, January 20, 2016
  11. ↑ Bracher, Jane (February 10, 2016). "Phoenix to fuel PBA". Rappler.com. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  12. ↑ Saberon-Ablayan, Marianne (January 23, 2016). "Phoenix, formerly Barako Bull, thrilled with new PBA beginning". Sun.Star. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  13. ↑ Beltran, Nelson (February 18, 2016). "Fuel Masters smother Warriors in big debut". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  14. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (May 31, 2016). "Ariel Vanguardia replaces Koy Banal as Phoenix coach to kick off PBA team's facelift". Sports Interactive Network Philippines . Retrieved May 31, 2016.
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