Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Eugene Phelps made his return to the PBA earlier than expected but a different conference was nothing new to the scoring machine.
Sporting a new haircut different from his dreadlock days of old, Phelps, who first played for Phoenix in the 2016 Governors’ Cup where there is a height limit for imports, had to suit up in the Commissioner’s Cup in place of the injured James White.
Matched up against taller imports, Phelps sees no problem going toe-to-toe with bigger counterparts.
“I don’t care none of that, I play center in college so I’m used to it,” said the 6-foot-6 Phelps after Phoenix’ 103-98 double overtime win against Ginebra Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I just came back from Mexico where I played center. The thing is a lot of them can’t guard me so it’s a mismatch in the offense. I’m not scared of nobody or height or anything.”
Phelps proved that height doesn’t faze him as he finished with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists against a Ginebra team that had a gigantic frontcourt in 7-foot Greg Slaughter, 6-foot-10 Charles Garcia, and 6-foot-9 Japeth Aguilar.
“It feels good, we won, and that’s all that matters,” said Rhodes. “I’m just here to help the team win, if I score 10 points and the team wins that’s all I care about. I get bonuses for winning, not dropping 50 points.”