Jun 20, 2018

Phelps, Phoenix dismantle GlobalPort

PHOENIX's desperation turned into game and pity GlobalPort, which was standing in the way Wednesday.

The Fuel Masters unleashed one sustained run after another to deal the Batang Pier a 135-108 drubbing and stay alive in their bid for entry into the PBA Commissioner's Cup playoffs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Eugene Phelps registered a triple double of 37 points, 23 rebounds and 10 assists while Matthew Wright led the group of locals who stepped up for Phoenix in a game it dominated from the opening quarter on.

As a result, the Fuel Masters snapped out of a four-game slide and improved to a 4-6 slate overall. They remained at 10th-running spot, but only half-a-game out of the eighth and last quarterfinals slot.

Things could even get better for Phoenix should it prevail over Alaska in the penultimate day of the 11-game eliminations on July 6.

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"It's good, we're still breathing," said Fuel Masters coach Louie Alas. "Hindi pa kami magbabakasyon. Hopefully, hopefully."

Even if his Fuel Masters do not make it through, Alas still maintains it is moving in the right direction. "Mag-i-start na pag-grow ng team na iyan," he said.

The loss, its fifth in nine games, was a bitter one for GlobalPort as it dropped into a tie with Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok and Columbian at sixth, with the Dyip taking on Barangay Ginebra, at ninth on a 3-5 record, later in the evening.

For the Batang Pier to advance, they must not only win against Columbian Friday but also against the Gin Kings also on July 6.

Malcolm White had 24 points and six rebounds, Sean Anthony 15 and seven and Stanley Pringle 14 and seven. But Pringle committed eight turnovers while White was taken out for good with the count at 97-61 for Phoenix, still 3:28 left in the third period.

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"Baka inireserba na lang, kasi, back-to-back sila, e," noted Alas. "Good thing for us."
Phoenix has already made sure any chase by GlobalPort would be for naught when it took the half by 70-51 and went into the fourth with a 107-77 spread.

Phelps' production marked the first time in 20 years an import anchored a triple double on a 30-20 game while the output was the highest posted by a winning team in the last five conferences.

Phoenix added a franchise-best winning margin for good measure and Wright played a big part for such milestones by booming in his first five three-pointers for 24 points.

So did Jason Pdrkins, RJ Jazul, LA Revilla, JC Intal and even seldom-used Mike Gamboa, who each notched at least nine points.

Phelps' was actually pulled out with 3:34 left in the game but re-inserted back in 31 seconds later for him to complete his triple double which he did by feeding Jazul for a triple that made it a 132-105 count.(NC)

The scores:

Phoenix 135 - Phelps 37, Wright 24, Perkins 13, Jazul 11, Revilla 9, Intal 9, Gamboa 9, Kramer 6, Wilson 6, Dehesa 4, Guevarra 3, Chua 2, Mendoza 2, Eriobu 0.

GlobalPort 108 - White 24, Anthony 15, Pringle 14, Javelona 10, Pringle 9, Grey 9, Elorde 9, Guinto 8, Arana 7, Tautuaa 6, Gabayni 2, Flores 2, Nabong 1, Bulawan 0.

Quarters: 41-22, 70-51, 107-77, 135-108.