MANILA, Philippines – Despite letting go of Jeff Chan, the Phoenix Fuel Masters ended their 4-game losing streak with a 135-108 rout of GlobalPort Batang Pier in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, June 20, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Eugene Phelps recorded  a triple-double of 37 points, 23 rebounds and 10 assists, the last when he dished one to RJ Jazul, who converted a triple with 1:40 minutes left in the game. 

Phoenix improved to a 4-6 record to stay in contention for a quarterfinal berth, while GlobalPort fell to 4-5. 

“Finally,” said Phoenix head coach Louie Alas after the Fuel Masters arrested their skid. “Yun lang naman hinihintay namin eh, magkaroon ng breakout game where mamamanage namin yung lead.”

(That’s what we’ve been waiting for, to have a breakout game where we’ll be able to manage the lead.)

Matthew Wright also waxed hot in the game as he shot 6-of-8 from the arc to tally 24 points for Phoenix.

Malcolm White led the listless Batang Pier with 24 points and 6 rebounds.

Phoenix  got off to a good start as Phelps towed the Fuel Masters to a 19-point lead in the first half, 70-51, and quickly tallied a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds. 

After the break, the Fuel Masters limited GlobalPort to only 3 points in the first 4 minutes of the 3rd quarter before Batang Pier’s star guard Stanley Pringle nailed a jumper. Phoenix continued to pull away to a 30-point lead, 107-77, that left the Batang Pier helpless entering the final frame. 

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, Mendoza 2, Chua 2.

GlobalPort (108) – White 24, Anthony 15, Pringle 14, Javelona 10, Elorde 9, Grey 9, Guinto 8, Arana 7, Tautuaa 6, Gabayni 3, Flores 2, Nabong 1, Bulawan 0.

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

– Rappler.com