Resident Phoenix import Eugene Phelps went back to his scoring ways, exploding for a game-high 50 points to help the Fuel Masters escape with a tough 113-107 victory over gritty Columbian Dyip in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
The do-it-all reinforcement added 17 rebounds and eight blocks to his production in a spectacular performance that nearly got him a triple-double.
The Fuel Masters banked on key several points from the charity line and offensive rebounds in the final minute to avoid the Dyip’s upset bullet and ice their win.
Columbian managed to come within a single-possession of the Phoenix lead in the final minute multiple times but was unable to breakthrough as the latter made vital defensive stops.
Calvin Abueva finally made his much-awaited Phoenix debut.
Abueva was key down the stretch, squeaking in a critical point and getting critical rebounds on his way to a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds on top of five assists to further help his new team’s cause.
This is the star forward’s first game after getting suspended by his former team Alaska in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Showing its hunger to get its campaign rolling, the Fuel Masters caught the Dyip off-guard from the start.
Led by Phelps, Phoenix broke out of the gates with a blistering 28-10 opening salvo in the game’s first 10 minutes to seize a tight grip on the game right away.
Phelps already had 12 points at the end of one and 20 by halftime.
At the half, Phoenix remained in control, carrying a 56-42 cushion at intermission.
Finally showing resistance, the Dyip fought back in the third, outscoring the Fuel Masters by nine, 37-28, in the third, to trim its deficit to only five, 79-84, heading into the final 12 minutes of action.
However, that was Columbian’s best stand as Phoenix regained steam and closed out the Dyip in the fourth.
With 7:46 remaining, the Fuel Masters were able to re-establish their twin-digit lead, 96-84, after a split from Jason Perkins capped a 12-5 run.
Still, the Dyip threatened again late in the match before eventually falling short for the second straight game, allowing the Fuel Masters to have a triumphant conference debut.
Jerramy King continued his strong play for Columbian, leading his squad with a team-high 27 points in the losing effort.