Phoenix has no intention of playing party pooper against opposing head coaches celebrating their birthdays.

But with the way the Fuel Masters collected their back-to-back victories in a strong start in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup, they definitely don’t mind ruining the party.

Coincidentally or not, Phoenix climbed to the solo top spot in Group B at the expense of Magnolia and Meralco in their respective their tacticians’ birthday week.

The Fuel Masters recovered from squandering a 15-point advantage in the first half to escape with a narrow win over the debuting Bolts, 98-97, on Wednesday, just two days after Meralco coach Luigi Trillo celebrated his 51st birthday.2

Phoenix’s latest victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum came on the heels of its opening-day come-from-behind 98-86 stunner over the Hotshots last Saturday — also two days after Magnolia tactician LA Tenorio turned 42.

“Maybe there was a mix of luck. I said last game, it was Coach LA’s birthday before the game. And today is Coach Luigi’s birthday (days before the match). So, I want to play coaches after their birthdays,” Fuel Master head coach Charles Tiu quipped.

“Maybe we’re lucky with that.”

Meanwhile, the Fuel Masters loaded their roster with the arrival of Gian Mamuyac in a trade with Rain or Shine.

Under the deal approved by the Office of the Commissioner on Thursday, Mamuyac and Rain or Shine’s Season 53 second-round pick were shipped to Phoenix for its Season 53 first-round draft choice.

The Elasto Painters made the move with Mamuyac’s impending free agency.

Mamuyac, who posted 12 points, six rebounds and six assists in Rain or Shine’s 108-131 loss to Blackwater, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season as his original contract will expire at the end of July but was auto-extended with the season still in progress.

Against the import-less Bolts, Phoenix was able to control the first half where it erected a 37-22 advantage.

The game got tighter in the second half and the Fuel Masters even relinquished the driver’s seat to Meralco, 53-60, before recovering just in time for the thrilling closing race.

Phoenix trailed the Bolts, 94-97, with 1:19 left before scoring back-to-back split from the line by Ken Tuffin and import Robert Johnson cut the team’s deficit to one.

A stop by the Fuel Masters led to Tuffin drawing a foul from Bolts veteran guard Chris Newsome before nailing both free throws to put Phoenix back on top.

CJ Cansino then missed a potential game-winning attempt as time expired.

“But today is a special day for me,” Tiu added.

“It’s my brother’s (retired PBA star Chris Tiu) birthday and my grandmother’s death anniversary. So maybe there’s some help from above to help us win this game.”

Phoenix will have a few days of rest before squaring off against debuting reigning Commissioner’s Cup champion Barangay Ginebra on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Luckily for the Kings’ mentor Tim Cone, his birthday is still five months away.