‘Gut-feel’ sub adds fuel to Phoenix streak

Phoenix guard Encho Serrano takes a jumper in opposition to Rain or Shine. PBA IMAGES

Phoenix rookie Encho Serrano could need to look extra usually at coach Topex Robinson every time he’s on the bench.

“Now I do know,” Serrano mentioned when he heard why Robinson determined to place him again in the course of the latter levels of the Gasoline Masters’ 92-83 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday.

Robinson’s choice to discipline Serrano rather than Javee Mocon with 2:34 appeared like a calculated stroke of genius because the gutsy guard helped Phoenix protect the win after Rain or Shine had minimize an 18-point deficit to 5.

What it actually was, Robinson later mentioned, was a “intestine feeling,” one thing that was stirred by eye contact with Serrano.

“I advised myself that if I take a look at the bench for the third time and he nonetheless seems to be at me, then I’ll put him on the market on the ground. Meaning he’s prepared,” Robinson mentioned at Ynares Middle right here.

Serrano turned that five-point lead into an 86-78 unfold with a nook three then almost made his coach remorse his choice to sub him in by committing a deliberate foul on Steve Taylor Jr. Taylor made two free throws and Gian Mamuyac drained a triple within the bonus possession to maneuver Rain or Shine inside three.

However he gained again his coach’s belief when he tossed in a tricky layup that made it a five-point recreation for Phoenix, 1:34 to go.

The win was the fourth straight for Phoenix, which continued to rise after a 0-3 begin.

And Serrano—together with his acrobatic offense, pesky protection—has averaged 16.3 factors, 3.0 rebounds and three.3 assists in the course of the Gasoline Masters’ streak.

Eye contact apart, Serrano, the terrific second spherical steal of this 12 months’s draft, now understands find out how to give Robinson causes to discipline him, particularly now the Gasoline Masters have change into the most well liked workforce within the midseason convention.

“Pag ipapasok niya na ako, naka-ready na ako (I’ve to be prepared each time he decides to place me in),” mentioned Serrano, whose efficiency resulted in a career-high 18 factors.

Import Kaleb Wesson had 21 factors, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks for Phoenix, regardless of having to overlook a great a part of the fourth as a result of foul bother that enabled Rain or Shine to make a run.

Rain or Shine dropped to 3-4 (win-loss) after a defeat that left coach Yeng Guiao to ponder on the efficiency of his import Taylor who completed with 16 factors and 19 rebounds.

“I feel we now have to find out our plan of action,” mentioned Guiao. “However after all, we’ll discuss to him earlier than our Saturday recreation [against Magnolia]. We’ll see what occurs after that.”

Within the second recreation, San Miguel Beer pummeled NorthPort, 104-86, behind import Devon Scott’s 25 factors and 16 rebounds.

The Beermen bought again as much as 3-3 following its first back-to-back wins within the convention.

San Miguel Beer, which has cycled by means of three imports this convention and performed minus injured stars June Mar Fajardo and Terrence Romeo, was additionally with out Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter in Wednesday’s win.

Learn Subsequent

Do not miss out on the most recent information and knowledge.

For suggestions, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.