The Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters are the last team to book a quarters seat as they secured a 105-94 win over the now-eliminated Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Eugene Phelps powered his way to a whopping 40-point performance, in addition to an all-around performance of 14 rebounds, six assists, and two blocked shots.
Phoenix Petroleum seemed to be on cruise control from the get-go, as their first quarter saw them already establishing a double-digit separation. Josh Urbiztondo was instrumental in the team’s first half performance, drilling three triples to aid his import’s offensive effort to lead them to a 54-38 lead at intermission.
The Fuel Masters maintained the comfortable cushion for the next quarter and a half, but Rain or Shine started their late comeback from the efforts of their locals. By the 5:05 mark of the fourth, the Elasto Painters had made the game interesting, as they had climbed their way back, 92-87, capped by a Paul Lee basket.
Fortunately for the Fuel Masters, five straight points to counter the rally by Phelps extinguished the comeback and shrugged the Elasto Painters for good. Urbiztondo and Simon Enciso also punched crucial hits down the stretch to put the nail in the coffin.
Josh Urbiztondo finished the night with 23 points off the bench, with five rebounds and five three-pointers.
Phoenix used 25 more assists compared to Rain or Shine’s 16. Moreover, they shot six more three-pointers in an 11-for-30 clip against the Elasto Painters dismal 5-of-26.
Coach Ariel Vanguardia got himself a breather after pulling out this win, but credited his counterpart coach Yeng Guiao and a class team like Rain or Shine.
“Kahit yung import nila, hindi ganun ka-productive, he (Guiao) brings out superstars in the team. My whole program in Phoenix, we had to create like Yeng Guiao creates his superstars,” he said.
“This is a great feeling na naisahan namin and I am sure that they’ll bounce back. They’re a champion team,” he furthered.
Josh Dollard had 20 points for Rain or Shine in ending their forgettable conference. Jericho Cruz added 14 points in the loss, while Beau Belga added 12.
The quarterfinals series between the TNT KaTropa and the Phoenix Petroleum will take place on Saturday, 3:00pm, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Scores:
Phoenix (105) – Phelps 40, Urbiztondo 23, W. Wilson 9, Baguio 8, Enciso 5, Intal 5, Pennisi 5, Lanete 4, Lee 3, Torres 3, Buenafe 0, J. Wilson 0.
Rain or Shine (94) – Dollard 20, Cruz 14, Belga 12, Quinahan 10, Tiu 9, Chan 7, Ponferada 7, Ahanmisi 4, Lee 4, Norwood 4, Almazan 2, Trollano 1, Nimes 0.
Quarterscores: 29-16, 54-38, 85-71, 105-94
