Eugene Phelps has just made history.
The undersized Phoenix Fuel Masters import finished with a rare triple-double of 37 points, 23 rebounds, and 10 assists to power his side to a dominant 135-108 victory over the GlobalPort Batang Pier, Wednesday evening.
His performance, according to the league’s chief statistician Fidel Mangonon, is the first 30-20 triple-double outing in the PBA in 20 years – since import Andre Perry did the same for Sta. Lucia back in the 1998 Governor’s Cup.
“It feels good. The big thing is we got the win. That’s all that really matters to me. But the triple-double feels good,” said the 28-year-old after the match.
Phelps had been expected to finish just an assist shy of a triple-double when he was subbed out of the game late in the fourth. But according to him, he asked if he could check back in – just to achieve the rare feat.
The coaches then granted his request, and he finally got what he wanted as teammate RJ Jazul converted White’s kick-out pass to an assist as he sunk a three-pointer from the right wing with just 1:40 on the clock.
“I know I had nine assists. And then the coach took me out. So I asked them can I get one more assist, so I thank God he believed in me. And I thank God RJ made the shot… Thank God RJ made the shot, and we got the win.”
Phelps did not know anything about the history he had just written. But for him, it’s all the result of his hard work, and some assistance from his own lucky charm: his girlfriend, Bernice, who was in attendance.
“I didn’t know about that. But I work hard, so it just feels good that all my hard work comes and you see I put in the work,” Phelps said. “And shout out to Bernice, that’s my girlfriend. Everytime she comes, I get a triple-double.
“So you gotta blame her, I guess,” he added with a grin.
