Phelps delivers as Phoenix closes in on q’finals spot

PBA IMAGES

Eugene Phelps bucked a momentary hiccup and led Phoenix to a 106-93 conquest over Star Friday in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After a scintillating first half, the 26-year-old erased his paltry third quarter showing and scattered 45 points, 17 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks to once again show his worth for the Fuel Masters.

Phoenix lost its 77-57 third quarter lead and allowed Star to pull within one, 77-76, thanks to a 19-0 run abridging the final two frames.

Phelps, however, doused that hot streak, firing 15 in the payoff period to allow the Fuel Masters to recover and claim its fourth win.

“We have high respect for Star. They’re a Grand Slam team,” said coach Ariel Vanguardia. “Even if we’re up 20, I’m still scared because we know at any point in time, they will come back. Coach Jason (Webb) did very good job. They went small and we weren’t ready. But the goof thing is in the fourth, we bottled down to work, made some crucial stops, and we made shots.”

Willy Wilson also got 13 markers and 11 boards, while Cyrus Baguio and Ronjay Buenafe both had 11.

“Slowly but surely, the team is maturing and I’m praying that we’re peaking at the right time,” said Vanguardia, as Phoenix (4-4) wins its fourth game in five outings with Phelps in tow.

Star’s disaster conference continues as it drops to 1-7 with a fifth straight defeat, its worst skid in 11 years.

Joel Wright topped the Hotshots with 29 points and 11 rebounds, while Mark Barroca had 12 markers in the loss.

The Scores:

PHOENIX 106 – Phelps 45, W. Wilson 13, Baguio 11, Buenafe 11, Lee 8, Cruz 6, Lanete 4, Enciso 3, Urbiztondo 3, Miranda 2, Borboran 0, Caperal 0, Torres 0, J. Wilson 0.
STAR 93 – Wright 29, Barroca 12, Simon 11, Sangalang 8, Garcia 7, Yap 7, Maliksi 5, Brondial 4, Mallari 4, Melton 2, Pascual 2, Pingris 2, Reavis 0.

Quarters: 32-19, 56-47, 77-72, 106-93.