Phelps unloads 50 pts for Phoenix

Eugene Phelps delivered 50 points while Calvin Abueva made key plays in the closing minutes as Phoenix Fuel held off Columbian Dyip, 113-107, to open its campaign in the PBA Governors’ Cup on a high note at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Phelps, wearing a colorful headband while taking one-handed free throws, made 20 of his 32 shots on the way to his first 50-point game since dropping 53 on Blackwater in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup.

He also had 17 rebounds and eight blocks.

Phoenix led 107-99 on a three by the struggling Matthew Wright with 3:25 to go in the fourth but Columbian pulled within 109-107 on import Akeem Wright’s triple, 1:20 remaining.

Dyip guard Jerramy King had a chance to tie the game, but Abueva came from behind to block the shot. The new Fuel Master hauled down two offensive boards on the ensuing play before splitting two charities for 110107.

Columbian’s Rashawn McCarthy turned the ball over after the timeout, resulting in rookie Jason Perkins sinking one of two foul shots to virtually seal the deal for Phoenix.

“Good thing we got a huge game from Eugene, then Calvin was being Calvin,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas, disappointed with his team squandering an 18-point first quarter lead.

Abueva, acquired from Alaska in exchange for Karl Dehesa and a 2019 first round pick, finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in his first PBA appearance since May.