Remember that it doesn't matter how fast you do the Blitz, and the game will stop while the cursor is pointing to Sabin, no matter what. Favor smoothness over speed when performing the Blitzes, and remember that the "rear-facing" rule that is in Street Fighter 2 does not apply here; i.e., Rising Phoenix is always "half circle left to right" whether Sabin is facing left, or facing right. It doesn't change.