Matthew Wright saved Phoenix Pulse from a monumental collapse, helping the Fuel Masters escape Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 103-101 for their first win in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Saturday night at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Fuel Masters saw their 23-point second quarter lead melt down as the Gin Kings tied the game at 101 with 12.8 seconds left to play, but Wright made a jumper with 5.1 ticks left to give his side the lead and eventually the win.
The Fil-Canadian shooter led all scorers with 28 points in the win that hiked Phoenix’s win-loss record to 1-2.
“I just have to give credit to the guys, talagang gustong-gusto nila manalo,” said coach Louie Alas, who got booted out of the match only three minutes into the final frame for incurring his second technical foul of the night.
Eugene Phelps also made his presence felt in the win with a triple-double as he finished with 27 points, 23 rebounds, and 11 assists in nearly 46 minutes of play. The American reinforcement also collected three blocks and a steal.
“Huge triple-double. Against Ginebra pa, which for me is one of the best defensive teams. It’s good,” said Alas.
Justin Chua provided 17 points and five rebounds while RJ Jazul chimed in 10 markers and four boards for the Fuel Masters, who had a sizzling start into the match as they had 41 points in the opening period alone.
Justin Brownlee had a triple-double as well with 25 points, 12 rebound, and 12 assists to lead Ginebra, who fell to 1-1.
Brownlee had a chance to win it for the crowd darlings but his long three-pointer missed as time expired.
LA Tenorio finished with 20 points, three rebounds, and two assists, Stanley Pringle produced 19 points, Japeth Aguilar supplied 18 points, four boards, a steal, and a block, as Greg Slaughter had 11 markers and 10 boards in the loss.
Phoenix Pulse will look to get going versus TNT KaTropa (2-0) on October 2, Wednesday, still at the Big Dome, while the Gin Kings will fly to Dubai on October 5 to face NLEX Road Warriors (2-0) at the Coca-Cola Arena.
The Scores:
Phoenix (103) – Wright 27, Phelps 27, Chua 17, Jazul 10, Mallari 9, Napoles 6, Perkins 4, Potts 2, Garcia 0.
Ginebra (101) – Brownlee 25, Tenorio 20, Pringle 19, Aguilar 18, Slaughter 11, Dela Cruz 4, Thompson 2, Chan 2, Caperal 0.
Quarterscores: 41-24, 57-44, 81-66, 103-101.
