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Phoenix Fuel Masters

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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.

Phoenix Fuel Masters
2024–25 Phoenix Fuel Masters season
Phoenix Fuel Masters logo
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
         
CompanyPhoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.
Board governorRaymond Zorrilla
Team managerPaolo Bugia
Sheila Briones (assistant)
Head coachJamike Jarin
OwnershipDennis Ang Uy
Affiliation(s)Limitless Appmasters
Websitewww.phoenixfuels.ph/phoenix-fuel-masters/

History

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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

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Phoenix Fuel Masters' logo used during the 2016 Commissioner's Cup
 
Phoenix Fuel Masters' logo used from 2016 to 2018.
 
Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters' logo used in 2019.
 
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)

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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)

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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

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Main article: Phoenix Fuel Masters all-time roster
Phoenix Fuel Masters roster
Players Coaches
Pos. # POB Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From
C 1   Muyang, Larry 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1995–06–04 Letran
F 2   Manganti, Sean 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 1994–04–18 Adamson
F 3   Perkins, Jason 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1992–09–20 De La Salle
C 4   Soyud, Raul 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 222 lb (101 kg) 1991–01–14 Philippines
F 5   Ular, Ato 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 196 lb (89 kg) 1995–05–04 Letran
G 8   Garcia, RR 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1990–01–12 Far Eastern
G 9   Alejandro, Jjay 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1995–04–13 National-U
F/C 10   Ballungay, Kai (R) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2001–11–16 Ateneo
F/C 12   Daves, Matthew 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Ateneo
G 13   Jazul, RJ (C) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1986–04–11 Letran
F 15   Camacho, Simon 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Adamson
C 17   Smith, Donovan (CI) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1993–11–19 Quinnipiac
G 18   Salado, Kent (IN) 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 1994–11–10 Arellano
G 19   Tio, Tyler 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1998–04–05 Ateneo
F 20   Tuffin, Kenneth 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 1997–05–05 Far Eastern
F 22   Verano, Raffy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Ateneo
G 25   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
  •   Injured

Roster


Players of note

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Imports

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Awards

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Individual awards

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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

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PBA Defensive Player of the Year Mr. Quality Minutes All-Rookie Team

All-Star Weekend

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All-Star MVP Slam Dunk Contest All-Star Selection

2017

2018

2019

2024

Front Office

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Coaches

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Topex Robinson and the Fuel Masters during a timeout.
Phoenix Fuel Masters Head Coaches
# Name Start End Regular Season Playoffs Best Finish Achievements
GC W L Win% GC W L Win%
1 Koy Banal 2016 2016 11 3 8 .273 0 0 0 – N/A N/A
2 Ariel Vanguardia 2016 2017 44 17 27 .386 5 1 4 .200 Quarterfinals Quarterfinals
3 Louie Alas 2017 2019 66 33 33 .500 7 1 6 .857 Semifinals Semifinals
4 Topex Robinson 2020 2023 56 26 30 .464 8 3 5 .375 Semifinals Semifinals
5 Jamike Jarin 2023 present – 7 2 5 .286 Semifinals Semifinals
Assistant coaches Team Manager Board Governor Alternate Governor
  • Dennis Ang Uy (2016–18)
  • Raymond T. Zorrilla (2019 – present)
  • Raymond T. Zorrilla (2016 – present)

Season-by-season records

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Main article: List of Phoenix Fuel Masters seasons
Records from the 2024–25 PBA season:
Conf. Team name Elimination round Playoffs
Finish W L PCT Stage Results
GOV Phoenix Fuel Masters 6th in Group B 1 9 .100 Did not qualify
COM TBD TBD TBD – TBD TBD
PHI TBD TBD TBD – TBD TBD
Total elimination round 1 9 .100 TBD
Total playoffs TBD TBD – TBD
Total 2024–25 1 9 .100 TBD
Total franchise 104 147 .414 0 Championships

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

See also

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References

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  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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