Phoenix runs roughshod over NLEX
This has to be sweeter to Far Eastern coach Olsen Racela than beating Adamson. Then again maybe it isn’t. FEU, hanging tenaciously to the slimmest of leads in the closing seconds, came through with another huge win last night as the Tamaraws fought back to stun the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles 63-60 last night in the 81st UAAP men’s basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena.
After trailing by double digits in the first half, FEU rallied in the third behind JR Parker and Axek Inigo before relying on the big plays of guards Hu-
The Phoenix Fuel Masters gave coach Louie Alas a huge birthday present last night by crushing the NLEX Road Warriors, 123-97, to remain in contention for a twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Import Eugene Phelps erupted for 51 points, his fourth career game of at least 50, while adding 20 rebounds to lead the Fuel Masters’ rampage that saw them take command from start to finish and claim their sixth victory in eight games in the season-ending con- bert Cani and Ino Comboy and forward Richard Escoto down the stretch.
Escoto’s basket gave the Tamaraws a 63-58 lead with 29 seconds which they never relinquished.
The win continued FEU’s climb as it improved to 5-2, tied with Ateneo after the Blue Eagles’ win streak, following an opening loss to Adamson, ended at five games.
It was also the Tamaraws’ third straight win and second in four days after they dealt the Falcons their first defeat – an 88-85 overtime win – following a perfect 5-0 start. Ateneo’s setback put Adamson back on top with a 5-1 card.
Racela, a former Ateneo star whose FEU team lost to Ateneo in the Final Four last season, commended his players for the effort they gave despite their tight schedule the past two weeks.
“Well, I myself, I don’t know how we did it,” said Racela. “If you noticed, we have a very tough schedule, and we’ll play on Sunday (against UST). ference.
Phoenix stayed within pace of defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (7-1), Blackwater (6-1), Magnolia (5-1) and Alaska (4-1) in the race for the quarterfinal bonus given to the top four teams after the eliminations.
Blackwater and Magnolia were playing at press time, the winner boosting its chances gaining the twice-to-beat.
Calvin Abueva kept his strong play in the tournament with 17 points and seven rebounds for Phoenix on the day Alas celebrated his 55th birthday.
“I expected a very close game because NLEX was coming off a loss We played five games in two weeks.”
“Add to that, we played back-toback games versus Adamson and Ateneo… and we played without our top scorer (Arvin Tolentino). So I really don’t know how we did it. I just want to give credit to these guys. They were very patient and very selfless.”
University of Santo Tomas, meanwhile, showed the kind of fight that hopes to inspire center Steve Akomo as the Tigers thumped University of the Philippines, 86-72.
A day after news broke out that Akomo – the team’s 6-foot-9 center – has been diagnosed with blood clots in his brain, UST jumped the gun early, 31-16.
Rookie CJ Cansino, forward Zach Huang and guard Renzo Subido took turns fanning the flames in the second quarter for a 53-29 halftime advantage.
UST, a team on a rebuild mode under coach Aldin Ayo, continued its attack in the third frame where it led by as many as 30 points. against Ginebra. But I have to credit to my players because their defense and committing few turnovers,” said Alas.
Phoenix led by a high of 41 points in the third, giving Alas the luxury of resting his key players for tomorrow’s encounter with San Miguel Beer at the nearby Mall of Asia Arena.
Another victory will put the Fuel Masters in serious consideration for the top four and perhaps boost their chances of competing for the crown.
Aaron Fuller dropped 38 points with 14 rebounds but it was perhaps the only bright spot for the Road Warriors who fell to a tie with idle TNT KaTropa at 4-4.