Phelps game-winner lifts Phoenix over slumping Alaska

MANILA, Philippines – The Phoenix Fuel Masters went to their most reliable guy on the floor and he delivered.

Import Eugene Phelps drove strong for the two-point bucket, just enough to break the deadlock and lift his team to a 95-93 win over the Alaska Aces in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup on Saturday, July 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Phelps finished with 29 points and 14 rebounds, while RJ Jazul had 15 markers, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 29.2 seconds remaining, 93-91, that went straight through the heart of his former team.

“What a game!” exclaimed coach Ariel Vanguardia, whose squad won in the presence of Milwaukee Bucks’ Matthew Dellavedova.

“Well, our vets delivered today. They showed heart and made the crucial plays down the stretch. It was like a playoff game. Credit to Alaska for giving us a hell of a game.”

The Aces, down by 9 with over 3 minutes left, rallied on a 10-0 run to lead by one, 89-88, with over a minute to go. Both teams delivered on one big shot after another.

Alaska made one final push to pull out the win as Chris Banchero converted a difficult one-handed, off-balanced putback, falling to the floor to tie the game for the last time, 93-all, with 21.1 ticks left.

But the Aces did not use their remaining foul to give in their most crucial defensive assignment of the night, and Phelps took it strong for the win.

Phoenix has now won both its games to start the conference, while Alaska has dropped to 0-2, extending its losing streak to 10 games dating back to the Commissioner’s Cup.

Joseph Eriobu and John Wilson contributed 14 and 13 points, respectively.

LaDontae Henton topscored for the Aces with 30 points with 10 rebounds. Simon Enciso was the only other player in double figures with 17 markers off the bench.

Vic Manuel and Calvin Abueva had 9 and 8 points, respectively, and combined for 14 boards.

Meanwhile, the NLEX Road Warriors took care of business against the KIA Picanto earlier in the day, 100-93. 

The Road Warriors, led by Aaron Fuller’s 24 points and 19 rebounds, quickly created separation in the opening quarter with a 36-18 lead. NLEX led by as many as 27 points before KIA closed the gap late in the fourth only to run out of time.

Markeith Cummings paced the now 0-2 KIA with 30 markers and 15 boards, while Glenn Khobuntin added 15 points.

Scores:

Phoenix (95): Phelps 29, Jazul 15, Eriobu 14, J. Wilson 13, Intal 8, Baguio 5, W. Wilson 4, Hayes 2, Alolino 2, Borboran 2, Kramer 1, Dehesa 0, Lanete 0.

Alaska (93): Henton 30, Enciso 17, Banchero 9, Manuel 9, Abueva 8, Dela Cruz 5, Baclao 4, Thoss 4, Magat 4, Galliguez 2, Racal 1, Exciminiano 0, Hontiveros 0, Casio 0.

Quarter scores: 18-22, 43-46, 72-70, 95-93.

NLEX (100): Fuller 24, Alas 13, Lastimosa 13, Quiñahan 11, Taulava 8, Al-Hussaini 6, Mallari 6, Soyud 6, Baracael 5, Villanueva 5, Fonacier 3, Ighalo 0, Tiongson 0, Monfort 0,  Rios 0. 

KIA (93): Cummings 30, Khobuntin 15, Jaime 13, Celda 8, Paniamogan 6, Elorde 6, Yee 4, Corpuz 4, Camson 3, Salva 2, Nimes 2, Caperal 0, Galanza 0, Teng 0, Ballesteros 0. 

Quarter scores: 36-18, 64-40, 83-70, 100-93.

– Rappler.com