Eugene Phelps might have dropped 50 points, but it was Calvin Abueva who helped the Phoenix Fuel Masters escape the Columbian Dyip, 113-107, in their 2018 Governors’ Cup opener, Wednesday evening at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Abueva secured a handful of offensive boards in the end-game when Phoenix came back from 12 down, and his last one with 7.5 ticks left led him to the foul line. He shot both of his freebies to settle the final score.
The debuting Beast produced 12 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists, and was the second Fuel Master to finish in double figures next to Phelps, who collected 17 rebounds. The 6-foot-5 import also had eight blocks to his name.
“Calvin, that’s why kinuha namin si Calvin, to have an extra body,” said Phoenix head coach Louie Alas.
The Fuel Masters actually had a good start into the match that they led by as much as 18 in the first quarter, but Columbian came back roaring in the third canto and even tied the bout at 73-all to make it a ballgame.
Phoenix restored order in the fourth by establishing a 12-point cushion, 96-84, but the Dyip were just too gritty, as they went on a scoring rampage. An Akeem Wright trey helped Columbian knock within two, 109-107, with 1:21 left.
That proved to be the last rev the Dyip would manage. Jerramy King tried to tie the game up, but Abueva reacted quickly and swatted his point-blank shot away.
The door was still open for Columbian with 17.4 seconds left when Jason Perkins missed both of his freebies, but Phelps was there to grab the miss. He quickly passed it outside, and it eventually went to Matthew Wright.
Wright was sent to the line but split his free throws. But Abueva collared the rebound, and he was fouled by Russel Escoto as he went for a shot. He calmly sank his bonus shots to ice the game with 7.5 ticks left.
“Defensively wala pa talaga kaming toughness. We gave up 37 in the third quarter. Not to discount Kia pero sabi ko sa kanila makaka-shoot lang sa atin ‘yan sa transition most of the time, that’s if we turn the ball over,” rued Alas.
Perkins had 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
King led Columbian with 27 points and six assists. Wright had 25 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, while Rashawn McCarthy provided 19 points, four boards, and four dimes. Eric Camson chimed in 12 markers.
Phoenix will next play on August 26, Sunday, against the NorthPort Batang Pier, while the now-0-2 Columbian will battle the NLEX Road Warriors next Wednesday, August 29. Both games are still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Phoenix 113 – Phelps 50, Abueva 12, Perkins 11, Intal 8, Jazul 7, Revilla 6, Wright 6, Chua 6, Mendoza 4, Gamboa 3, Eriobu 0.
Columbian 107 – King 27, Wright 25, McCarthy 19, Camson 12, Lastimosa 6, Escoto 3, Cahilig 3, Ababou 3, Tubid 3, Corpuz 2, Gabriel 2, Khobuntin 2, Celda 0, Reyes 0, Cabrera 0, Sara 0.
Quarterscores: 31-17, 56-42, 84-79, 113-107.
