Phoenix Fuel Masters

Phoenix Fuel Masters
History
Phoenix Fuel Masters (2016–present)
Joined PBA	2016
Team colors
Company	Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.
Owner(s)	Dennis Uy
Board governor	Dennis Uy Raymond Zorrilla (alternate)
Team manager	Paolo Bugia
Head coach	Ariel Vanguardia
Championships
None

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.

History

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, 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

Phoenix Fuel Masters' logo used during the 2016 Commissioner's Cup

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]

Current roster

Phoenix Fuel Masters roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. # POB Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From 1.5 !G 0 USA ! Enciso, Simon 7000180340000000000♠5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1991–02–12 Notre Dame de Namur 2.5 !G/F 3 PHI ! Baguio, Cyrus 7000187960000000000♠6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1980–08–19 UST 1.5 !G 4 PHI ! Alolino, Gelo (R) 7000182880000000000♠6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1994–01–04 National-U 5.5 !F/C 6 CAN ! Torres, Norbert 7000198120000000000♠6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1990–01–12 De La Salle 2.5 !G/F 7 PHI ! Intal, JC 7000193040000000000♠6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1983–11–18 Ateneo 1.5 !G 8 PHI ! Wilson, John 7000187960000000000♠6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1987–01–18 José Rizal 2.5 !G/F 10 PHI ! Hayes, Marvin 7000187960000000000♠6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1986–05–13 José Rizal 5.5 !F/C 12 PHI ! Caperal, Prince 7000200659999999999♠6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1993–06–12 Arellano 4.0 !F 15 PHI ! Javillonar, Jeoffrey (R) 7000187960000000000♠6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1993–01–01 National-U 4.0 !F 16 PHI ! Borboran, Mark 7000193040000000000♠6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1984–11–20 UE 1.5 !G 26 PHI ! Lañete, Chico (C) 7000182880000000000♠6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1979–08–01 Lyceum 4.0 !F 28 USA ! Wilson, Willy 7000190500000000000♠6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1980–01–30 De La Salle 5.5 !F/C 34 PHI ! Miranda, Michael 7000198120000000000♠6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1990–12–12 San Sebastian 1.5 !G 35 CAN ! Wright, Matthew (R) 7000190500000000000♠6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1992–03–07 St. Bonaventure 5.5 !F/C 44 PHI ! Kramer, Doug  7000195580000000000♠6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1983–07–10 Ateneo	Head coach Ariel Vanguardia Assistant coach(es) Justino Pinat (1st Assistant) Nic Belasco Julio Veloso Jon Jacinto Djalma Arnedo Allen Ricardo Team manager Paolo Bugia Legend (C) Team captain (I) Import (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (IN) Inactive (S) Suspended (R) Rookie Injured Roster

Depth chart

Players of Notes

Front Office

Coaches

Season-by-season records

Records from the 2015–16 PBA season:

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

See also

• Phoenix Fuel Masters draft history

References