May 20, 2018

Phoenix survives Ginebra scare in double overtime

With import Eugene Phelps already helpless on the bench due to cramps, reserve center Justin Chua came in to hit the dagger shot as Phoenix Petroleum outlasted Barangay Ginebra, 103-98, in a gripping double-overtime battle in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

Chua buried a one-hander inside the paint to give Phoenix a 101-98 lead with time down to 40 seconds.

A missed layup by Japeth Aguilar in the next play,and two free throws by RJ Jazul on a desperate Ginebra foul had the Fuel Masters completing an upset of the Kings in their grind-out battle.

The Kings forced the two extension plays on three-point shots by Japeth Aguilar and Joe Devance, but blew the game in the end on crucial errors.

Phoenix, thus, improved to 3-2 while Ginebra dropped to 1-3.

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"It's a big win and we need it badly," said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.

"The whole week prinaktis namin kung ano naging outcome ng game. Nung last game kasi, breakdown agad kami right at the start," Alas also said. "I told them kung hindi tayo magpapakita ng toughness, especially mentally, walang mangyayari. I guess nagbunga."

The Fuel Masters displayed admirable courage and fortitude as they humbled the Gin Kings yet again. Phoenix has beaten Ginebra four times in their last five matches.

A big break that went Phoenix's way was Ginebra import Chuck Garcia fouling out just four minutes into the fourth quarter.

Still, the Fuel Masters had to gut it out to save the game where they led by 16, 46-30, at the half.

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Phelps came through with 25 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists while Jeff Chan, Matthew Wright and RJ Jazul chipped in 22, 19 and 12 points, respectively.

Wright was scoreless through the first 20 minutes of the second half but came alive again just when the Kings caught up at 75-all.

The Gilas mainstay fired seven points in the closing minutes of regulations and added four in the second OT.

The Kings had a chance to win the game in the first overtime but Aguilar muffed an uncontested layup.(SB)

The scores:

PHOENIX 103 - Phelps 25, Chan 22, Wright 19, Perkins 12, Jazul 12, Chua 4, Kramer 4, Intal 3, Wilson 2, Revilla 0.

BARANGAY GINEBRA 98 - Aguilar 25, Garcia 19, Thompson 17, Slaughter 14, Devance 10, Tenorio 9, Taha 2, Mariano 2, Caguioa 0, Ferrer 0.

Quarterscores:
21-16, 46-30, 64-62, 85-85, 92-92, 103-98 (2OT).