Abueva, Wright lift Fuel Masters to No. 2

MANILA, Philippines — Calvin Abueva and Matthew Wright joined forces to fuel a high-octane Phoenix Petroleum windup en route to a 97-91 win over Blackwater and a crucial Top Four finish in the PBA Governors Cup elimination round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Abueva was all over the floor doing almost everything while Wright played as big with his shooting and defensive effort as the Fuel Masters beat out the Elite at endgame of a tight duel.

Abueva top scored with 25 points and also came up with eight rebounds and two assists while Wright drilled in 23 markers and added seven boards, five assists and key defensive stoppages as Phoenix earned a franchise milestone with a first-ever finish in the Top Four in the elims.

Phoenix actually finished No. 2 behind top-notcher Barangay Ginebra, thus advancing to the quarterfinals with a twice-to-beat advantage against the seventh-ranked team.  

“We’re in the Top Four just in the eliminations. We want to be in the Top Four of the playoffs. We’re one win away, hopefully we can make it,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.

Eugene Phelps collected 19 rebounds and 16 points while LA Revilla was the fourth Phoenix player to finish in double figures with 11 points as the Fuel Masters closed out the elims at 8-3 while sending the Elite to a 7-4 windup.

Later in the night, Barangay Ginebra dashed TNT KaTropa’s playoffs hopes and gave Meralco a free ride to the quarterfinals as the Kings crashed the Texters, 112-93.

“We certainly didn’t want to limp into the playoffs. We want to make sure we’re coming in full speed. It’s not about winning but much about preparing us for the playoffs,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone after closing out their elims stint with a tournament best mark of nine wins against two losses.

“The real hard work starts now. There’s no easy way in the playoffs. It’s always a tough route whoever you play against,” said Cone whose chargers play No. 8 NLEX in the Final Eight.

The scores: 

First Game

Phoenix 97 – Abueva 25, Wright 23, Phelps 16, Revilla 11, Perkins 9, Jazul 4, Chua 4, Intal 3, Wilson 1, Alolino 1, Kramer 0.

Blackwater 91 – Walker 21, Pinto 17, Zamar 12, Belo 10, Erram 9, Maliksi 9, Digregorio 7, Al-Hussaini 4, Javier 2, Cortez 0, Sumang 0, Jose 0.

Quarterscores: 21-18, 44-48, 72-69, 97-91

Second Game

Ginebra 112 – Brownlee 31, Slaughter 25, Thompson 11, J. Aguilar 10, Mariano 9, Ferrer 9, Tenorio 7, Mercado 4, Dela Cruz 3, Chan 3, Caguioa 0, Caperal 0, R. Aguilar 0, Manuel 0.

TNT 93 – Blakely 23, Pogoy 22, Castro 12, Rosario 11, Reyes 8, Cruz 7, Trollano 4, Carey 2, Williams 2, Tamsi 2, Golla 0, Taha 0, Garcia 0, Paredes 0.

Quarterscores: 24-22, 54-45, 82-69, 112-93