PHELPS FUELS PHOENIX TO BIG WIN VS KIA
Eugene Phelps gave an inkling of what he could at his best as he powered Phoenix to an emphatic 118-105 victory over KIA Picanto at the start of the PBA Governor ’s Cup last night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Phelps, who unleashed a pair of 50-pluspoints with Phoenix last year, unloaded 33 points and had 14 rebounds and three blocks as the Fuel Masters dominated the Picanto from start to finish to pound out the 13-point win.
The Phoenix import could’ve actually churned out a more explosive performance had he not suffered cramps and had to be pulled out with seven minutes left in the contest.
Still, he upstaged counterpart Markeith Cummings, formerly of GlobalPort, who scattered 31 points in 44 minutes.
“We know what Eugene can give us,” said Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia of Phelps, who also played with injured fingers he sustained during his recent stint in Puerto Rico.
“He’s getting there, he hurt his fingers in Puerto Rico,” added Vanguardia.
Phelps dropped 52 points in this same conference last year and scored 53 points in his first and only game as a temporary import in the Commissioner’s Cup this year.
Vanguardia said they are eyeing nothing less than finishing in the top four.
“We want to be in the hunt for the fourth spot; we’re very ambitious this conference and I think we have the chemistry to go to the next level,” he said.
Vanguardia also liked the way his veterans – JC Intal, Cyrus Baguio and RJ Jazul – imposed their will.
Intal fired 19 points, Jazul added 18 markers and Baguio chipped in 11 while providing the leadership.
“Our veterans did a great job today. JC played well, we know what Cyrus can give us and RJ is no longer hesitant to lead the team,” said Vanguardia. The scores: First Game PHOENIX 118 – Phelps 33, Intal 19, Jazul 18, Eriobu 12, Baguio 11, Dehesa 9, Alolino 8, W. Wilson 4, Kramer 2, J. Wilson 2, Lanete 0, Hayes 0, Borboran 0, Miranda 0.
KIA 105 – Cummings 31, Galanza 15, Jaime 11, Revilla 10, Paniamogan 9, Caperal 8, Khobuntin 7, Teng 5, Corpuz 4, Celda 3, Camson 2, Ballesteros 0, Elorde 0, Salva 0.
Quarterscores: 33-24, 57-48, 83-75, 118-105