The Phoenix Fuel Masters gave the returning Eugene Phelps a fitting welcome, as they sent the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to 1-3 hole, 103-98, in a match that needed two extra periods, Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Phelps was solid in his first game back since 2017 — despite cramping up past the midway mark of the fourth quarter — producing 25 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and a block in over 48 minutes to lead Phoenix.
“Si Eugene Phelps okay naman siya,” lauded head coach Louie Alas.
The Fuel Masters actually had a chance to seal the deal as early as the fourth canto, when they led by six, 85-79, with 1:33 on the clock. But Ginebra were too wily, scoring six straight to tie things up with 1:10 remaining.
Japeth Aguilar had a chance to win it for the Barangay, but his wide-open lay-up off a pick-and-roll missed. Phoenix tried to capitalize, but Phelps — despite getting enough space — missed his jumper, and that sent the match into OT.
Phoenix had a 92-89 edge in the first extra period, but it was wiped out as Joe Devance hit a triple to tie it up with 46 ticks to go. Japeth Aguilar’s missed lay-up and Phoenix’s failed alley-oop play forced another extra five minutes.
The lethal backcourt duo of Jeffrei Chan and Matthew Wright took care of business for the Fuel Masters in the second overtime, conspiring to give their team a favorable 99-94 cushion with 3:17 left in the match.
The Gin Kings, of course, tried to fight back one last time, as they closed within distance, 98-99, but the Fuel Masters shut them down, as Justin Chua’s one-hander and RJ Jazul’s freebies sealed the match.
“We needed that game. Kasi the whole week, wala kaming prinactice kundi kung anong result nung practice namin because yung game sa NLEX, right from the start, broken down agad yung defensive schemes namin eh,” said Alas. “So I told them, kung… If we don’t do a better job at toughness, especially on mental, walang mangyayari sa game natin. So I guess nagbunga yung pagpa-practice nila sa pagco-concentrate.”
Chan finished with 22 points on 21 shots along with five rebounds, while Wright produced a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Jason Perkins had himself an outing as well, as he supplied 12 markers and 10 caroms as well.
Aguilar led the Barangay with 25 points and nine rebounds. Import Charles Garcia nearly had a 20-20 game of 19 points and 18 boards, while Scottie Thompson pumped another double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Phoenix will next play the San Miguel Beermen on May 30, Wednesday, 7:00 PM still at the Big Dome, while Ginebra will face rivals Meralco Bolts on June 1, Friday, 7:00 PM, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Scores:
Phoenix 103 – Phelps 25, Chan 22, Wright 19, Perkins 12, Jazul 12, Chua 4, Kramer 4, Intal 3, Wilson 2, Revilla 0.
Ginebra 98 – Aguilar 25, Garcia 19, Thompson 17, Slaughter 14, Devance 10, Tenorio 9, Taha 2, Mariano 2, Caguioa 0, Ferrer 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16, 46-30, 64-62, 85-85, 92-92, 103-98.
