Phoenix is hoping a timely week-long break will be enough to get its battered roster closer to full strength before a crucial PBA Commissioner’s Cup showdown against Meralco this weekend.
The Fuel Masters have opened the mid-season conference with back-to-back victories, but the strong start has come with a cost. Sophomore forward Kai Ballungay became the latest player to join Phoenix’s growing injury list after suffering a sprained ankle in the team’s emphatic 109-76 demolition of Titan Ultra on Sunday.
Ballungay now joins Tyler Tio and Jason Perkins among the key names being monitored by the coaching staff, as Phoenix looks to keep its unbeaten run intact against the Bolts.
“Unfortunately, some guys are hurt. So we’re just trying to manage that,” coach Charles Tiu said after steering the Fuel Masters to a 2-0 start.
Both Ballungay and Tio are currently dealing with sprained ankles, although Tiu remains hopeful neither absence will stretch too long.
“Hopefully it won’t be too bad. We have a couple of days off naman so we’ll assess. I hope it’s not too long,” Tiu said of Ballungay’s injury.
As for Tio, the Phoenix coach said recovery will depend on how quickly the young guard responds to treatment.
“Kay Tyler, it will be a week or two weeks out, depends on how he feels,” Tiu said, referring to the injury Tio sustained during the Fuel Masters’ 101-98 opening win over Magnolia.
“But he’s doing everything to rehab and be back on the court as quickly as possible.”
Perkins, meanwhile, continues to deal with soreness in his Achilles, an issue Phoenix is treating with extra caution despite the veteran big man being close to game-ready.
The longtime Fuel Master was already in uniform during the rout of the Giant Risers, but the coaching staff opted to sit him out to avoid aggravating the injury.
“He was ready to go but his foot, his Achilles is hurting so we wanted to manage him,” said Tiu.
“I didn’t want to force him. He could have played if he wanted to, but I said sige let’s try to be conservative to give him a few days of rest kasi ayaw naman namin na mabigla siya.”
For Phoenix, the break could not have come at a better time. With Meralco looming and momentum already on its side, the Fuel Masters are now banking on recovery as much as rhythm—hoping their wounded core can heal in time for their toughest test yet.