Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
2023–24 Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters season
Founded	2016
History	Phoenix Fuel Masters (2016–2018) Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters (2019) Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (2020–present)
Team colors	Teal, gray, white
Company	Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.
Board governor	Dennis Uy Raymond Zorrilla (alternate)
Team manager	Paolo Bugia
Head coach	Jamike Jarin
Ownership	Dennis Ang Uy
Affiliation(s)	Limitless Appmasters
Website	www.phoenixfuels.ph/phoenix-fuel-masters/

The Phoenix Super LPG 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 Pulse Fuel Masters' logo used during the 2016 Commissioner's Cup

Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters' logo used from 2017 to 2018.

Logo used in 2019.

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 Super LPG 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 UP Diliman F/C 6 Lalata, Chris 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 1995–01–09 Olivarez F 7 Mocon, Javee 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 189 lb (86 kg) 1995–04–07 San Beda 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 10 Williams, Johnathan (I) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 228 lb (103 kg) 1995–05–22 Gonzaga F 12 Daves, Matthew (R) 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 G 19 Tio, Tyler 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1998–04–05 Ateneo F 20 Tuffin, Ken (R) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 1997–05–05 Far Eastern G/F 22 Verano, Raffy (R) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Ateneo F 24 Camacho, Simon 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Adamson G/F 25 Rivero, Ricci (R) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 146 lb (66 kg) 1998–05–25 Philippines C 33 Rangel, Tzaddy (IN) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 1996–12–22 National-U	Head coach Jamike Jarin (interim) Assistant coach(es) Jon Jacinto (1st assistant) Christien dela Cruz Paolo Dizon Ian Anthony Sangco Willy Wilson Team manager Paolo Bugia Legend (C) Team captain (I) Import (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (IN) Inactive (S) Suspended (R) Rookie (3x3) Assigned to 3x3 team Injured Roster

Players of note

Front Office

Coaches

Topex Robinson and the Fuel Masters during a timeout.

Phoenix Super LPG 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	2020	66	33	33	.500	7	1	6	.857	Semifinals	Semifinals
4	Topex Robinson	2020	2023				–				–

Assistant coaches	Team Manager	Board Governor	Alternate Governor
Topex Robinson (2017 – present) Nic Belasco (2016 – present) Caesar Polhen (2017 – present) Will Voigt (2017 – present)	Paolo Bugia (2016 – present)	Dennis Ang Uy (2016 – present)	Raymond T. Zorrilla (2016 – present)

Season-by-season records

Records from the 2023–24 PBA season:

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

See also

• Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters draft history

References