Phoenix wins, boosts QF hopes

Games Tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. – NLEX vs Globalport 7 p.m. – Mahindra vs Ginebra

ANTIPOLO CITY — Phoenix Fuel inched closer to earning a first-ever appearance in the quarterfinals with a 93-81 win over also-ran Blackwater in the season-ending Governors’ Cup last night at the Ynares Sports Center here.

Import Eugene Phelps delivered another dominant performance, banging in 29 points and grabbing 26 rebounds – his third 20-20 performance in the league – to help push the Fuel Masters to the next round with a 5-4 card.

His confidence boosted by the trust given to him by coach Ariel Vanguardia and the rest of the coaching staff, Mark Borboran was a big revelation along with rookie Simon Enciso as they helped lessen the offensive burden for their stocky import.

The 6-foot-4 Borboran, who never had fine moments since his glittering collegiate career with the University of the East Warriors, netted 15 points and six rebounds, while Simon Enciso added 12 points.

The Fuel Masters, who moved up to solo 6th, need only to beat the struggling Alaska on Saturday and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Sept. 14 to claim that twice-to-beat incentive in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine has tabbed former PBA import Josh Dollard to replace Jason Forte.

Alaska, with import LeDontae Henton and five other local players scoring in double figures, likewise kept its quarterfinals hopes by downing Globalport, 133-106, in the second game.

Henton fired 33 points as Aces hiked their record to 4-5 while the loss jeopardized Batang Pier’s own bid with a 3-6 mark.