Eugene Phelps brightens up Phoenix F4 bid

MANILA, Philippines — For the vastly improved Phoenix Fuel Masters, it’s one of those nights when they seemingly could do nothing wrong.

Everything fell into place and everything worked finely as the Fuel Masters fashioned out a total annihilation of the NLEX Road Warriors, 123-97, to boost their Final Four aspiration in the PBA Governors Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.

For all intents and purposes, it was a won ball game at halftime for the Fuel Masters as they stormed to a massive 71-33 lead.

Eugene Phelps completed a 50-point and 20-rebound game with 3:37 left to play, and coach Louie Alas let his reserves do the mop-up job in the 26-point rout that sealed their playoff entry.

“We have three more games, but if we stay focused, I think we’ll be fine,” said Phelps, confident they would land in the Top Four and gain a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

Phelps went 21-of-31 from the field and 6-of-13 from the stripe in an overpowering performance that carried the Fuel Masters to their sixth win against two defeats and dropped the Road Warriors to a fourth loss in eight outings.

“It’s the whole team. I believe in them and I’ve got to thank my teammates. Calvin (Abueva) is working with a lot of heart, and there’s Matt and like I’ve said the whole team,” said Phelps.

Truly, the Phoenix locals did their part, outworking and outplaying their NLEX counterparts as they gave their coach a wonderful present on his 55th birthday.

In a night of routs, Magnolia crushed Blackwater, 133-99, to force a three-way tie at second place among the Hotshots, the Elite and the Fuel Masters at 6-2.

Paul Lee sizzled with 19 points laced with four three-pointers while Jio Jalalon frolicked with a career first triple-double game with 13 markers, 13 assists and 12 rebounds, leading the Hotshots to a fourth straight win.

The scores:

First Game

Phoenix 123 – Phelps 51, Abueva 17, Wright 10, Perkins 9, Wilson 8, Intal 7, Revilla 5, Jazul 3, Guevarra 3, Mendoza 3, Eriobu 3, Chua 2, Gamboa 2, Alolino 0, Kramer 0.

NLEX 97 – Fuller 38, Galanza 13, Fonacier 10, Tiongson 6, Monfort 5, Ighalo 4, Quiñahan 4, Marcelo 3, Baguio 3, Rios 3, Miranda 3, Tallo 3, Soyud 2, Paniamogan 0, Taulava 0.

Quarterscores: 34-18, 71-33, 94-67, 123-97

Second Game

Magnolia 133 – Travis 22, Lee 19, Barroca 16, Sangalang 15, Jalalon 13, Dela Rosa 9, Simon 8, Mendoza 7, Abundo 5, Pascual 4, Gamalinda 4, Ramos 2, Brondial 2, Herndon 0, Reavis 0.

Blackwater 99 – Walker 27, Erram 13, Maliksi 12, Digregorio 9, Banal 7, Jose 6, Belo 5, Pinto 5, Al-Hussaini 4, Zamar 3, Cruz 3, Sumang 3, Sena 2, Javier 0, Palma 0.

Quarterscores: 35-19, 64-43, 98-73, 133-99