PBA: Playing loose yields win for Phoenix, career-high for Rivero

Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Ricci Rivero during a PBA Philippine Cup game vs Meralco. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Phoenix young gun Ricci Rivero believed that for the Fuel Masters to get their first win in the PBA Philippine Cup, the squad needed to play like they were having fun.

When the Fuel Masters did just that–they were able to defeat the defending champion Meralco, 109-97, at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday.

READ: PBA: Jason Perkins fuels Phoenix past Meralco for first win

It also helped Phoenix that  Rivero had the best offensive showing of his PBA career.

“It’s a big thing for us to play happy and have fun because this team is really happy off the court so we have to translate it inside the court,” said Rivero.

“That’s what happened today. It’s also a big thing for us that we moved the ball a lot.”

Rivero finished with a career-high 20 points plus five rebounds, two assists and two blocks to bring the Fuel Masters to a 1-2 record.

The UAAP champion also backstopped fellow guard Tyler Tio and returning big man Jayson Perkins, who scored 22 and 19 points, respectively.

“For me, we put in the work and trust the process but we just couldn’t get the win in those previous games even when we do the right things every time.”

“Things didn’t go in our favor the last time but that won’t be a problem for us if we just trust the process.”

Phoenix will have a long time to recuperate before plunging back to all-Filipino conference action on April 26 when it faces Magnolia in Zamboanga City.