Phelps lights up Phoenix run, hands Mahindra first loss

Games today

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

3 p.m. – Blackwater vs TNT Ka Tropa

5:15 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Alaska

MANILA, Philippines - Eugene Phelps followed up his explosive 52-point PBA debut with a solid double-double effort and the Phoenix veteran locals stepped up in the crunch as they pulled off a stirring come-from-behind 100-94 win over the previously unbeaten Mahindra side in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Cyrus Baguio and Mark Borboran took charge when Phelps was already battling cramps in the payoff period, delivering big buckets that highlighted the Fuel Masters’ amazing comeback from a 20-point deficit in the first half.

Phelps came through with game highs of 23 points and 21 rebounds while Baguio and Borboran contributed 22 and 13 markers, respectively, as Phoenix moved up to sixth place with a 2-3 win-loss card while dealing Mahindra its first loss after sweeping its first four games.

TNT Ka Tropa, the only unbeaten team at 4-0, goes for win No. 5 today with a new import in Michal Ammons, who replaced Mario Little who was placed on the injured list.

“I screwed up in the first half as I put pressure on the guys by saying ‘we have to prove that we can win. If not, we can’t be in this team.’ I think the guys became tight,” said Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia

“Good thing, we have veterans who kept us in the game. Cyrus got us back in the game while Borboran stepped up big time in the crunch,” Vanguardia said.

After a serious talk with coach Boyet Fernandez in practice, Henry Walker rose to the occasion and  led NLEX to an 88-85 win over Star in the nightcap.

“He told me ‘I’ve got your back and whatever happens, I’ll go all out.’ He did just that,” said Fernandez of Walker who exploded for 32 points, including five treys as they checked a three-game slide and improved to 2-3.

Borboron fired 11 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, including a rare four-point play that touched off their decisive 11-4 closing run.

The former UE stalwart, riding the bench all through their last two games, proved to be a key factor in his reappearance on the hard court, hitting a perfect 5-of-5 shooting while also coming through with three rebounds, one steal and one block in just 15:20 minutes of action.

The scores:

First Game

PHOENIX 100 – Phelps 23, Baguio 22, Borboran 13, Lee 13, Cruz 6, Caperal 5, Lanete 5, Torres 4, Buenafe 3, Enciso 3, Wilson J. 2, Wilson W. 1, Pennisi 0.

MAHINDRA 94 – White 24, Ramos 18, Taha 13, Canaleta 10, Digregorio 7, Agovida 6, Jaime 4, Yee 4, Aguilar 2, Guinto 2, Pinto 2, Webb 2, Zandi 0, Elorde 0.

Quarterscores: 13-24, 44-45, 68-71, 100-94

Second Game

NLEX 88 – Walker 32, Lanete 15, Taulava 10, Villanueva J. 10, Alas 7, Anthony 6, Khobuntin 4, Akl 2, Soyud 2, Villanueva E. 0.

STAR 85 – Wright 28, Barroca 15, Pingris 14, Melton 8, Yap 8, Sangalang 4, Simon 4, Maliksi 2, Pascual 2, Garcia 0, Mallari 0, Reavis 0.

Quarterscores: 29-22, 42-39, 65-60, 88-85