Eugene Phelps, Calvin Abueva fuel Phoenix past Columbian

MANILA, Philippines — Eugene Phelps missed a dozen free throws taking them with one hand but still got away with 50 points to lead Phoenix past Columbian, 113-107, last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Phelps went 10-of-22 from the stripe and had to revert to taking his charities with both hands late in the game as his team got off to a good start in the PBA Governors Cup.

“One-handed (free throws) in practice was going in,” said Phelps of his unorthodox way of taking his charities. “I’m going back to two hands.”

Phelps finished the game with a conference-high 50 points, 17 rebounds and eight blocks in a superb all-around performance.

The Fuel Masters led by as many as 18 points in the first half but faltered near the end when the Dyip cut the deficit to within 109-107 with 1:20 remaining.

New recruit Calvin Abueva helped Phoenix preserve the win with timely rebounds and crucial charities, including a pair that made it 112-107.

Abueva, recently traded by Alaska, finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, enough to make up for seven missed charities.

“He’s great. He has great energy and we need all that,” said Phelps of Abueva.

In the nightcap, Magnolia whipped a tired and weary NLEX squad, 102-72, to jumpstart its bid in the season-ending conference.

 The Hotshots pulled away early, taking a 55-30 halftime lead and never looking back against the Road Warriors, who dropped to 2-1 after playing three games in just six days.