FUEL MASTERS, ROAD WARRIORS TRY TO STAY PERFECT
PHOENIX Petroleum and Northern Luzon Ex pressway (NLEX) try to stay unbeaten as they take on separate foes on Wednesday in the Philippine Basketball Association Season 42 Governors Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Fuel Masters and the Road Warriors are still spotless after two games and are hoping to extend their winning streak to three games.
Phoenix squares off with GlobalPort in the main game at 7 p.m. while NLEX clashes with Rain or Shine in the opener at 4:15 p.m.
The Fuel Masters are coming off a thrilling 95-93 win over Alaska on Eugene Phelps’ game-winner at the buzzer.
Phoenix head coach Ariel Vanguardia is wary of Batang Pier, who will be parading a new import in today’s match.
“We are blind coming into this game because we have no any idea about GlobalPort’s new import,” said Vanguardia, referring to the Batang Pier’s new reinforcement Murphy Holloway, who replaced the ineffective Jabril Trawick.
“We have to adjust quickly and try to give them problems early,” he added.
Phelps, who is averaging 31 points and 14 rebounds in two games this conference, will lead Phoenix anew along with local players Jazul, Cyrus Baguio, JC Intal and returning Matthew Wright, who suited up for Gilas Pilipinas in the annual William R. Jones Cup in Taiwan.
Despite a mediocre performance from Trawick, GlobalPort managed to give the Elasto Painters a run for their money before yielding a 98-96 decision.
Meanwhile, Yeng Guiao and NLEX are enjoying the franchise’s best start after beating Alaska (112-104) and Kia (100-93). The Road Warriors try to continue their roll against Guiao’s former club.
NLEX import Aaron Fuller is producing solid numbers for the team, averaging 27 points and 19.5 rebounds in two games. Kevin Alas is contributing big for the Road Warriors to bag the conference’s first Player of the Week honor.
Elasto Painters head coach Caloy Garcia expects a tough grind against NLEX as the team is now starting to grasp Guiao’s system.
“NLEX is playing so well. They are now starting to understand the system of coach Yeng (Guiao) and they have an import who fits them. It’s going to be a hard game and we have to control the boards,” said Garcia.
Import JD Weatherspoon scored 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in his PBA debut for Rain or Shine against Batang Pier.