Fuel Masters target solo 4th

MANILA, Philippines — Phoenix Petroleum seeks to rebound from a loss the last time out as it returns from a long 11-day breather to take on back-to-the-wall Rain or Shine in the PBA Governors Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome tonight.

The Fuel Masters try to pick up the pieces of their shattering 100-117 defeat at the hands of the San Miguel Beermen as they target solo fourth spot at 7-3, behind joint leaders the Alaska Milkmen (7-2), the Barangay Ginebra Kings (7-2) and the Magnolia Hotshots (7-2).

The E-Painters, meanwhile, fight to stay alive in the 4:30 p.m. setto to be followed by the equally important tiff between the San Miguel Beermen and the NorthPort Batang Pier at 7 p.m.

San Miguel seeks a third straight victory and win No. 5 overall that will ensure the team of a playoff crack at a quarterfinals berth.

The Batang Pier, for their part, play the first of their last two games that they need to sweep for a possible shot at the playoffs.

Odds are staked on Phoenix’s side as Rain or Shine remains badly undermanned even as the management has prevailed upon disgruntled player Raymond Almazan to stay with the team.

Almazan has been granted a leave of absence for the remainder of the season. He will report back at the start of the team’s training for next season.

Also out is another big man Beau Belga who’s nursing an injured foot.

The E-Painters will have to make do with Terrence Watson, Jay Washington, Jewel Ponferada and Norbert Torres as they face the tough Phoenix frontline led by dominant import Eugene Phelps.

And the Fuel Masters are determined to deliver a strong finishing kick in the elims in chase of a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

Their last game is Blackwater in the final day of the elims play on Nov. 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coach Leo Austria and his SMB troops, meanwhile, hope to stoke the first of their back-to-back wins over the Fuel Masters (117-100) and the Texters (107-96).

At 4-4, the Beermen actually still have an outside chance to finish in the Top Four.

But Austria insists they will take it one game at a time. Their immediate goal is to get past the Batang Pier, before minding their last two games against the Elasto Painters and the Meralco Bolts.