Phoenix may be opening the 2018 PBA Governors' Cup without key big men Doug Kramer and Willy Wilson, but coach Louie Alas feels newly-acquired forward Calvin Abueva can easily step up to the plate when the Fuel Masters take on the Columbian Dyip on Wednesday.
Acquired in a stunning trade with the Alaska Aces several weeks ago, the 6-foot-2 Abueva will be making his much-awaited debut for Phoenix.
"Doug Kramer and Willy Wilson are doubtful in our first game because they sustained injuries, but the good thing Calvin was added to our team, so in effect, we got an added energizer of a player, which is a big deal for us," Alas told ESPN5.
The 6-5 Kramer is nursing an ankle sprain, while Wilson is still recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained in the team's final game in the Commissioner's Cup.
But the 54-year-old Phoenix coach isn't using injuries as an excuse, citing the Fuel Masters will have to play consistently on the defensive end if they want to make noise in the season-ending conference.
"Again, we emphasized our philosophy on defense during the training camp and the good thing, like I said is, we got an added hustle player in Calvin," explained Alas, who is best remembered for winning three NCAA men's basketball titles with Letran.
"With Calvin around, that means, we have a big chance of getting an extra possession because of his hustle since he's an added rebounder. The only thing we will have to work on is how we can make the stops," he added.
The 30-year-old Abueva appeared to be back in game shape since being shipped to Phoenix.
Nicknamed "The Beast," Abueva can use this conference as a way to reboot his career after being limited to just five games in the Commissioner's Cup following an indefinite suspension slapped on him by Alaska.
Still, in the five games he played, the former San Sebastian star managed to contribute near double-double numbers of 10.4 points and 9.4 rebounds, along with 2.8 assists for the Aces.
Alas is wary of Columbian, which dropped a narrow 109-106 decision against Meralco on opening day.
The Dyip's import Akeem Wright seemed to fit in well after finishing with 30 points, 14 rebounds and four assists under new coach John Cardel. Vastly-improved Fil-American guard Jerramy King is expected to bring in additional scoring threat for Columbian after knocking down 24 points against the Bolts in a losing effort.
Cardel, a former assistant coach of NorthPort, stressed the importance of playing solid team defense.
"Every game, we need to be ready to play defense. Our offense will follow if our defense is very good," stressed Cardel, who came in to replace Ricky Dandan who resigned at the end of the team's Commissioner's Cup campaign.