Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Not even an elbow to the mouth could stop Eugene Phelps from delivering Phoenix’s first win of the conference.
The new reinforcement exploded for 52 points in his debut to lift the Fuel Masters to a 120-107 win over GlobalPort to breakthrough in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It was the most for a debuting import since Purefoods’ Darius Rice’s 56 points in the 2008 Fiesta Conference.
“It’s my mistake not to bring him earlier,” said Phoenix head coach Ariel Vanguardia of his replacement import. “We were eyeing him at the start of the season, but nothing against Marcus (Simmons), but Phelps gave us another dimension. We can go to the post and he was dominant. ‘He was El Destructor,’ which means ‘The Destroyer.’ He showed today why he’s the destroyer.”
The Long Beach State alum dominated with such efficiency, shooting 18-of-30 from the field and also had 16 rebounds, and six assists to tow Phoenix to its first win in four outings.
He did that despite taking a hit from GlobalPort import Mike Glover at the 10:41 mark of the third quarter. Phelps left the game momentarily to get the stuck tooth out of his lower lip before returning in the same period.
Lee Gwan Hee added 16 markers, six boards, and two dimes, while John Wilson poured in eight of his 15 points in the late fourth quarter pullaway. Willy Wilson got 10 in the win.
Vanguardia finally had his first taste of victory as PBA head coach.
“Aminado naman ako na I’m up against better coaches, more experienced coaches, but you know, we had good runs in the first three games and we just couldn’t sustain our momentum. I’m happy with how our young players are developing,” he said.
Glover finished with 27 points and 17 rebounds, while Stanley Pringle also had 27 markers and six boards for the Batang Pier.
GlobalPort fell to its fourth straight defeat, remaining as the lone winless team this conference.
The scores:
PHOENIX 120 – Phelps 52, Lee 16, J. Wilson 15, W. Wilson 10, Baguio 9, Enciso 6, Pennisi 5, Lanete 4, Cruz 3, Buenafe 0, Caperal 0, Torres 0.
GLOBALPORT 107 – Glover 27, Pringle 27, Romeo 20, Yeo 14, Washington 13, Dehesa 4, Mamaril 2, Isip 0, Kramer 0, Semerad 0, Taha 0.
Quarters: 33-26, 58-53, 86-85, 120-107.