Warm-up battle — Phoenix tests mettle against NorthPort

Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4 p.m. — Phoenix vs NorthPort

6 p.m. — Magnolia vs Terrafirma

Phoenix Super LPG couldn't wait to test its newfound strength against the big guns of the Philippine Basketball Association.

But first, the Fuel Masters have an important mission to accomplish: Beat NorthPort.

The Fuel Masters get a fitting warm-up battle before colliding with the heavyweights as they face the dangerous Batang Pier in the Commissioner's Cup today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game time is at 4 p.m. with the Fuel Masters gunning for win No. 7 and a golden chance to catch up with leader Magnolia, which is toting a 7-1 win-loss card.

But the Hotshots could either widen their distance or fall to second spot as they collide with Terrafirma in the second game at 8 p.m.

Although the Dyip are not considered as serious threats after losing five of their first seven matches, the Hotshots are still expected to be play with caution knowing that anything can happen as the playoff race of the season-opening conference starts to heat up.

Among the teams enjoying an early rise is Phoenix.

Under the leadership of head coach Jamike Jarin, the Fuel Masters are playing like grizzled veterans as they won all but one game in their first seven matches.

Their only loss came at the expense of erstwhile unbeaten Magnolia, 92-107, last 12 November before bouncing back with a 99-98 triumph over Rain or Shine on 18 November, 111-106 conquest of Blackwater on 24 November, 103-84 beating of Terrafirma on 29 November, 99-98 victory over Converge on 2 December, and an earthshaking 82-77 win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on 9 December.

Their mettle will be further tested when the clash with heavyweights San Miguel Beer on Christmas Day, Meralco on 10 January and TNT Tropang Giga on 14 January, making their battle against NorthPort a fitting warm-up game before the tough grind ahead.

Jarin knows that beating the Batang Pier will not be easy.

Aside from having renewed confidence after winning five of their first eight matches, the Batang Pier will also parade a solid roster powered by new acquisitions in Allyn Bulanadi and Kris Rosales.

"With Allyn Bulanadi and Kris Rosales joining the team plus the steady plays of Arvin Tolentino, Joshua Munzon and their import, Venky Jois, who does a little bit of everything, it's going to be a tough, tough match for us," Jarin told Daily Tribune in a telephone conversation.

"We don't want to look past NorthPort as we're also facing San Miguel on Christmas Day and Meralco and TNT early next year. We just want to focus on the task at hand."

The Fuel Masters are the hottest team in the league right now after winning five straight games while the Hotshots bowed to Rain or Shine, 110-113, in an out-of-town match in Cagayan de Oro City.

But Jarin doesn't want success to get into their heads.

"Everybody is at high right now, but I told them not to get too high or too low," Jarin said.

"We're focused on nothing more, but NorthPort."

NorthPort has been pretty solid as well this conference with Arvin Tolentino having his breakout season and a hardworking import in Jois proving to be a great fit.

How Bulanadi and Rosales, two players acquired in a multiple-player trade that sent Robert Bolick to NLEX, can fit in quickly to the NorthPort system remains to be seen.

Tolentino has been having his finest season, averaging 23.8 points per game, the best among the local players in the tournament, while Bulanadi and Rosales are also capable of exploding.