Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Phoenix survives Blackwater, heads into QF armed with twice-to-beat


The Phoenix Fuel Masters will be heading into the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs as the second seed and with a twice-to-beat edge following their 97-91 conquest of the Blackwater Elite, Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The Fuel Masters – who will be entering the playoffs with the win-once advantage for the very first time in history – finished the eliminations with an 8-3 card.

“At least we’re one win away from the semis,” said an elated Louie Alas, who has finally entered the playoffs as Phoenix head coach. “Maraming motivating factors si Attorney Raymond Zorilla, so we’ll do our job.”

Calvin Abueva went back to Beast mode, producing 25 points on 61 percent shooting and eight rebounds in 22 minutes to pace Phoenix. Matthew Wright backed him up with 23 points, seven boards, and five assists.

The two were pivotal for the Fuel Masters, especially in the end. When the Elite came back from nine down and knocked within four with 1:36 to go, Wright made a long tough jumper to widen their lead, 95-89, with 41.5 seconds left.

And when Blackwater responded courtesy of a Henry Walker fadeaway, Abueva shut the door on the opposition by coolly sinking both of his freebies with 10.5 seconds left, which eventually settled the final score.

Eugene Phelps went just 6-of-18 from the field, but he still finished with 16 points, 19 rebounds, and five assists in the victory. LA Revilla had 11 points – including the buzzer-beating halfcourt shot to end the third quarter – and six dimes.

#ReadMore  Romeo, Almazan experience Dream Team '92 moment

Walker had 21 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists to lead the Elite, who go into the quarters as the five-seed and will face the fourth-ranked Magnolia Hotshots. Nard Pinto had 17 points and 10 assists with three boards.

Foul-troubled Poy Erram was just a point shy of a double-double with nine points and 14 rebounds.

The Elite suffered a major blow in the game as early as the second quarter when resident shooter Mike DiGregorio was ejected thanks to a flagrant foul penalty two for throwing the ball at Phelps. He left with seven points.


The Scores:

Phoenix 97 – Abueva 25, Wright 23, Phelps 16, Revilla 11, Perkins 9, Jazul 4, Chua 4, Intal 3, Wilson 1, Alolino 1, Kramer 0.

Blackwater 91 – Walker 21, Pinto 17, Zamar 12, Belo 10, Erram 9, Maliksi 9, Digregorio 7, Al-Hussaini 4, Javier 2, Cortez 0, Sumang 0, Jose 0.

Quarterscores: 21-18, 44-48, 72-69, 97-91.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Andrei Caracut took charge in the endgame as Rain or Shine showed Magnolia the door, 113-103, and advanced to the PBA Season...

Basketball

Jabari Bird quickly made an impact as Magnolia decimated Rain or Shine, 121-69, to even things out in their PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup...

Basketball

Aris Dionisio had a career night and powered Magnolia past NorthPort in a battle of import-less sides, 110-94, to formalize their entry to the...

Basketball

NLEX finally laid its agonizing four-game losing skid to rest by crushing the also-ran Phoenix, 104-79, to keep its quarterfinal chances alive in the...

Basketball

Ginebra booked its place in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals by putting an end to the hopes of Phoenix, 112-96, for an...

Basketball

Brandone Francis struck the dagger as Phoenix warded off Blackwater, 119-114, to finally end its winless spell and – more importantly – stay alive...

Basketball

As if he was making a statement, Jordan Adams erupted for 49 points to power San Miguel past luckless Phoenix, 139-127, for an emphatic...

Basketball

Magnolia and Terrafirma traded haymaker after haymaker with the final bell about to ring, but only one had to come out triumphant on this...

Advertisement