Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Phoenix hardly missed the services of its bluechip rookie Matthew Wright as it whipped Kia, 118-105, in the opener of the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Eugene Phelps had 33 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks while locals JC Intal, Cyrus Baguio and RJ Jazul picked up the slack in the absence of Wright, who is with Gilas Pilipinas for the Jones Cup in Taipei.
Intal collected 19 points and seven rebounds, Jazul had 18 points while Baguio added 11 for the Fuel Masters, who led by as much as 15.
“Good start for us. We broke our losing streak from last conference which started with a Mahindra loss last conference,” said Phoenix head coach Ariel Vanguardia.
Markeith Cummings, Kia’s second-choice import after its initial reinforcement Chane Behanan went a shade over the 6-foot-5 height limit, posted 31 points and 10 rebounds.
Vanguardia also said Phoenix’s other rookie Norbert Torres will be at least four weeks due to a hand injury.
