“I just told the team that we have to work hard because we want to prove something — that we belong in this league,” new coach Junel Baculi, who took over the Coffee Masters less than three weeks ago, told reporters.

“I also want to prove something,” he continued. “When I started coaching 16 years ago, I told myself that someday I’ll be here (in the PBA, coaching). I was given an opportunity, and hopefully, we could sustain this.”

Baculi, though, would have to thank import Sammy Monroe if ever they do accomplish their modest goals.

The Jacksonville , North Carolina native carried the Coffee Masters offensively, hitting baskets that kept their collective heads above water before putting the game to bed with three straight charities in the final 11 seconds.

Monroe finished with 39 points in 39 minutes to go with 11 rebounds as he clearly became the most exciting new face in the tournament and the savior that the Coffee Masters seem to have been waiting for.

“Hopefully I could take this team all the way to the top, that’s why I am here,” the 25-year-old Monroe, who played pro ball in Mexico before coming to the Philippines, said.

Barako Coffee finished dead last in each of the last three conferences.

The Coffee Masters won just three games in the Philippine Cup, losing 11 straight outings at one point that definitely went down as the lowest point in the franchise’s PBA history.

But with Monroe around, things are certainly looking bright for the Coffee Masters, though Baculi would not want his team depending solely on Monroe judging from the way he talked.

“We need to continue working. We’re talented, yes, but the other teams are more talented than us, that is why we have to work really hard,” Baculi said. “We don’t want to have a repeat performance of last conference.

Our modest goal is the wildcard. Who knows, maybe we could get lucky and we make the quarters (outright),” he continued. “Having a good import (alone) doesn’t mean you’ll win.”

The Coffee Masters take the floor again on Wednesday when they clash with James Penny and Coca-Cola at 5 p.m. even as defending champion San Miguel debuts opposite Air21 in the 7:30 p.m. contest.

Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra import Awvee Storey didn’t do badly himself, shooting 33 points and grabbing 19 rebounds in leading the crowd-darling Gin Kings to a 97-90 triumph over Talk ‘N Text.

Mark Caguioa, despite being saddled with three fouls in the first six minutes of the first period, scored the bulk of his 19 points in the second half to also help the Kings.

“I just hope that I can be able to sustain this kind of game, that I’d be healthy,” Caguioa, who missed the whole of last season because of knee problems, said.

Jay-Jay Helterbrand scattered 16 markers and Ronald Tubid had 11 for the Kings, champions here two seasons ago when they were reinforced by talented 7-foot giant Chris Alexander.

Shawn Daniels, the burly, hardworking former Air21 import, paced the Tropang Texters with 19 points and 11 boards with Mac Cardona also shooting 19 and Ranidel De Ocampo 14.

This was the first meeting between the two bitter rivals, who figured in a controversial best-of-five quarterfinal series where the Texters walked out after just 11 minutes of Game 4.

“We played good enough, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement,” coach Jong Uichico said afterwards.

Yancy de Ocampo, whom the Kings acquired from Talk ‘N  Text, was scoreless in his first game as a Gin King.