Phoenix paired a monster of a performance from its import with the unleashing of its new “Beast” to get off to a winning start.
With Eugene Phelps ramming the Columbian Dyip all night, Calvin Abueva unleashed the beast in him in the second half to pull the Fuel Masters out of trouble late in the game for a tight 113-107 win at the start of their campaign in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Abueva made the most spectacular plays in the stretch, plucking down several offensive boards and grabbing those extra possessions that stopped the rallying Dyip in their tracks.
“This is the reason why we really wanted to get Calvin. That extra energy, that extra effort from him will really help the team,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.
Phelps, however, was the driving force behind the Fuel Masters as he punched in monstrous numbers of 50 points, 17 rebounds and eight blocks.
In the other game, Magnolia made a strong start to the tournament by halting NLEX’s two-game run via a 102-72 rout.
From 18 points down, the Dyip rode on the open-court savvy of Jerramy King and Rashawn McCarthy to keep the Fuel Masters within reach.
A drive by Akeem Wright from the left flank even pulled the Dyip within two with less than a minute left but Abueva helped stymie that rally.