Different name, same result for the Kia Picanto
Behind returning import Eugene Phelps, the Phoenix Fuel Masters, a team that was playing for the troops fighting in Marawi, ran past the KIA Picanto, 118-105, Wednesday evening at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
And the Fuel Masters had vengeance in its mind in the game after suffering a stinging 122-121 overtime loss to the Mahindra Floodbuster last May 21, 2017.
“Good start for us. We broke our losing streak from last conference which started with a Mahindra loss last conference,” said Phoenix head coach Ariel Vanguardia. “We had a chance to be number six and we lost to Mahindra and NLEX. That really derailed us last conference.”
Eugene Phelps, who was playing with a dislocated finger, powered Phoenix with 33 points on 12-for-21 shooting to go along with 14 rebounds and three blocks. JC Intal added 19 points off the bench, stepping up his production as Matthew Wright was serving national team duties.
“We got to grow from that and we have to play consistent basketball,” furthered Vanguardia. “Yung depensa lang hindi ako masaya sa depensa namin sa latter part of the game. I think we played good defense until the last four minutes of the game.”
With Phoenix leading by 14 points, 100-86, after five straight points from RJ Jazul with 5:43 left, the Fuel Masters settled with just exchanging baskets with the Picanto. Intal and Cyrus Baguio stepped on the pedal in the final two minutes, giving Phoenix a game-high 118-103 lead with 38 ticks remaining.
Jazul made a living on the foul stripe as well, going a perfect 8-for-8 from the stripe for 18 markers.
“I am happy that hindi na nahihiya si RJ sa pag lead sa teammates niya,” remarked Vanguardia of his floor general.
The closest Kia was able to get to Phoenix in the second half was cutting the lead to just three points, 65-62, with 5:48 left in the third frame after a Bong Galanza triple.
Athletic Picanto import scored 14 of his 31 points in the final frame but his team could not get any stops in the end game. He grabbed 10 rebounds as well.
Galanza and Chito Jaime added 15 and 11 points respectively for Kia. However, their team allowed Phoenix to shoot 42 free throw attempts in the game compared to just 21 for their side.
Phoenix looks to make it two in a row on Saturday, July 22 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena against the Alaska Aces. Kia, on the other hand, faces the NLEX Road Warriors on the same day at 3:00pm.
The Scores:
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.
