Eugene Phelps. PBA IMAGES
Eugene Phelps knew that sooner or later, Phoenix was going to get the break it needs.
The Fuel Masters may have seen its 77-57 third quarter lead easily cut down to one, 77-76, early in the fourth, but count on Phelps to bail them out.
“They made their run, so I knew we’ll have ours,” he said. “As a basketball player, you can’t feel pressure because if you do, you’ll end up questioning yourself, questioning your teammates. We’ve got a great coaching staff, so I knew we’re going to get a win.”
Phelps delivered late and fired 15 of his game-high 45 points to seal the 106-93 win over the Hotshots Friday in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup.
“It’s all about runs. We had a 20-point lead and they end up coming back, but coach (Ariel Vanguardia) told us to keep our composure and we’ll end up getting the win,” he said. “We got stops, we got buckets, and we end up getting the W.”
The 26-year-old reinforcement also delivered 17 rebounds, and three assists for Phoenix as it improved to 4-4.
More importantly, the Fuel Masters reaped the rewards of their gamble of replacing first choice import Marcus Simmons with Phelps.
Phoenix easily erased its horrible 0-3 start and has now gone on to amass a 4-1 record with Phelps leading the show. But the Long Beach alum didn’t want to take credit for the Fuel Masters’ turnaround.
“You tell me,” he said. “I’m just trying to do my job. I play 100-percent everytime, trying to rebound, get buckets. That’s what I do.”
Phoenix returns to action on Wednesday against Blackwater.