Vanguardia hopes Phelp’s return helps them get over playoff hump

Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia quickly shrugged off his disappointment after the Fuel Masters suffered another quarterfinal exit, this time at the hands of San Miguel, 115-96, in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Rather than be down, the soft-spoken mentor has every reason to feel optimistic as he expects Eugene Phelps to return for another tour of duty for the Fuel Masters in the upcoming 2017 Governors’ Cup.

“Hopefully, with Eugene Phelps helping us next conference, he can help us get that first playoff win which is very elusive,” he said.

Phoenix has made it to three straight playoffs after missing the boat in its first conference when it entered the league last season. Unfortunately, it met famed foes in all of those tries and quickly bid its title hopes goodbye.

That fact isn’t lost on the mentor.

But this time, the man Vanguardia fondly calls “El Destructor” will once again be in the country for the long haul.

“He’s lock and loaded,” he said. “He has already signed with us and is committed with us.”

Phelps saw action for only a game this past conference, recording 53 points, 21 rebounds, and five blocks in Phoenix’s conference-opening 118-116 double-overtime victory over Blackwater.

With Phelps in tow, Vanguardia believes that the high-scoring import is the cure to the Fuel Masters’ succession of futility.

“We’re staying positive. We got to get over that hump and hopefully by next conference we get that first playoff win for Phoenix,” he said.