Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Phoenix torched NorthPort, 132-91, for its second straight win in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Fuel Masters joined Alaska atop the standings with 2-0 records while the Batang Pier are at the bottom of the standings with 0-2 cards.
NorthPort was still in the coattails of the Fuel Masters at the midpoint mark of the second quarter, trailing by just three, 46-43, but that was just the start of Phoenix’s domination.
The Fuel Masters finished the second half on a 14-0 run capped off by an LA Revilla layup for a 60-43 lead.
Although the match ended in a much favorable way for Phoenix, head coach Louie Alas said there’s a bigger fish to snag and that is the next game against the Aces.
“This will be Calvin’s [Abueva] first game against Alaska, and he I told him to leave everything on the line in our next game,” said Alas who played import Eugene Phelps for just 34 minutes.
“I told Eugene to reserve his energy because Alaska is a totally different team.”
Phoenix further pushed the envelope in the third quarter dominating the Batang Pier 34-19 to build a 94-62 lead heading into the final frame.
Phelps finished with a team-high 30 points with 15 rebounds and four blocks to leas the Fuel Masters while Jason Perkins added 18 points.
Rashad Woods put up 42 points for the Batang Pier with Paolo Taha pitching in 15 points and five rebounds.