Eugene Phelps unleashed game-highs of 36 points and 20 rebounds for another monster showing to power the Phoenix Fuelmasters to their third straight win at the expense of Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok, 95-82, in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The game was nip-and-tuck for most part until Phoenix, who held small leads for much of the contest, pulled off a key surge in the payoff period.
The Fuelmasters orchestrated a decisive 12-3 charge midway in the fourth to carve a double-digit lead, 87-75, with 3:34 remaining after a two-handed slam by Phelps.
Caught flat-footed, the Hotshots were unable to answer back, enabling Phoenix to continue its winning run.
The Fuel Masters are now at 5-1 for second place after the win while they also gave Magnolia its first taste of defeat.
The Hotshots fell to 2-1 as their two-game winning streak snapped.
Matthew Wright and Justin Chua provided support for the Fuel Masters, scoring 13 and 13 points, respectively, while three of their teammates added nine markers each.
The first half was even-steven as both teams ended up tied at 48-apiece after the first 24 minutes of action.
Despite the tight game in the first three periods, Phoenix was the team who was leading for most part and it was able to gain a safe separation down the stretch to preserve its triumph.
Romeo Travis led Magnolia with a team-high 28 points and 19 rebounds.
Meanwhile, goliaths Barangay Ginebra (3-1) and San Miguel Beer (2-1) are battling in a rematch of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals as of this report.
The scores:
Phoenix Fuelmasters 95 – Phelps 36, Wright 13, Chua 12, Abueva 9, Revilla 9, Jazul 9, Perkins 7, Intal 0, Wilson 0.
Magnolia Hotshots 82 – Travis 28, Barroca 11, Sangalang 11, Jalalon 11, Lee 8, Ramos 6, Dela Rosa 3, Melton 2, Gamalinda 2, Pascual 0, Reavis 0, Brondial 0, Herndon 0.
Quarter scores: 30-19, 48-48, 71-67, 95-82.