Columbian arrests three-game slide to boost playoff chances

The Columbian Dyip’s three-game skid in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup finally ended on Sunday evening, as they dealt the Phoenix Fuel Masters their second loss in three nights, 115-107, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The Dyip improved their record to 4-5 to place seventh in the team standings and strengthen their bid for a quarterfinal spot. The Fuel Masters, on the other hand, dropped to 3-5 and are now ranked third to the last.

Six Columbian players scored in double figures in the win, with import John Fields III on the forefront with 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting on top of 26 rebounds and six assists. Glenn Khobuntin supplied 18 markers.

Guard Jerramy King finished with a double-double of his own, with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Backcourt partner Rashawn McCarthy was just two dimes away from a double-double, as he had 15 points and eight assists.

Eric Camson chipped in 13, while Ronald Tubid scored 10 for Dyip.

The Fuel Masters were still up, 75-73, at the start of the fourth, but the tables turned as Camson scored six straight points. From there, Khobuntin and King teamed up to provide the finishing touches for Columbian.

Just like last Friday against Meralco, Phoenix’s loss wasted the Herculean effort of import Eugene Phelps. The six-foot-five American led the Fuel Masters with 34 points and 22 rebounds against nine turnovers.

Matthew Wright backed up Phelps with 32 points on 57 percent shooting from the floor. Rookie Jason Perkins was the only other Fuel Master to finish in double figures, as he had 14 points, along with six rebounds and two assists.

Columbian will look keep their playoff hopes afloat against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on June 20, Wednesday, 7:00 PM at the Big Dome. Phoenix will look to bounce back versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on June 16, Saturday, 4:30 PM at the MoA Arena.

The Scores:

Columbian (115) – Fields 29, Khobuntin 18, King 15, McCarthy 15, Camson 13, Tubid 10, Escoto 6, Ababou 3, Sara 2, Cahilig 2, Corpuz 2, Celda 0.

Phoenix (107) – Phelps 34, Wright 32, Perkins 14, Revilla 5, Intal 5, Wilson 5, Chan 4, Mendoza 2, Kramer 2, Chua 2, Jazul 2, Gamboa 0, Dehesa 0.

Quarterscores: 17-29, 44-48, 73-75, 115-107.