Phelps’ 50 lifts Phoenix

Eugene Phelps erupted for 50 points to rescue the new-look Phoenix from a major collapse and beat the pesky Columbian Dyip, 113-107, for a triumphant debut win in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Phelps, who also served as the Fuel Master’s import in the Commissioner’s Cup, dropped 14 of his game-high 50 points in the fourth quarter where Phoenix withstood a late game uprising from the Dyip.

Phoenix actually opened the game with a bang, leading 28-10 and even sustained it until midway through the final canto, 98-87, before import Akeem Wright and vastly-improved guard Jerramy King pushed Dyip to within 104-107, still 1:47 to go.

Good thing for Phoenix, Phelps had a lot of gas left in his tank, scoring a bucket in the next possession for a 109-104 separation that sealed their win.

With the victory, Phoenix notched a quick 1-0 win-loss slate while Dyip suffered their second straight loss to drop at the bottom of the season-ending conference.

“It was a huge game from Eugene and of course, Calvin (Abueva) being Calvin. That’s why we traded for him — for his energy,” Phoenix head coach Louie Alas said.

Aside from his third 50-point game as resident Phoenix import in the PBA, Phelps also added 17 rebounds and eight blocks to lead the retooled Fuel Masters.

He wasn’t alone, though, as newly-acquired star forward Abueva proved himself worthy of Phoenix’s gamble with 12 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.

A former player of Alaska, Abueva’s defensive tenacity couldn’t come for Phoenix in a better timing as his block on King and his four offensive rebounds inside the last minute eventually preserved the Fuel Masters’ win.

Meanwhile, King and first time PBA import Wright racked up 27 and 25 points, respectively, in another losing effort for Dyip who also dropped a 106-109 nail-biter to Meralco last Friday.