PBA: Marcellus Earlington impresses Phoenix with strong debut

Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Marcellus Earlington during a game vs Meralco Bolts in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Phoenix coach Charles Tiu liked what he saw from Marcellus Earlington in a winning debut against Meralco in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup after pondering tapping two players who would go on to play in the ongoing conference.

Earlington had 20 points, 14 rebounds and five assists as the Fuel Masters came back to beat the Bolts, 105-101, on Friday at Ynares Center in Antipolo, which assured them a place in the quarterfinals.

The Fuel Masters tapped Earlington in lieu of BJ Johnson, who left during the break to sign for a club in Russia after playing the first seven games of the conference.

“It was something that we already knew for a while,” Tiu said. “When we got BJ, we knew that it was a short-term thing.”

Phoenix Fuel Masters’ coach Charles Tiu during a game vs Meralco Bolts in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

Tiu said he entertained the possibility of getting current Barangay Ginebra import Jordan Murphy and Nick Hornsby, who played two games for TNT before giving way for the returning Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

But Tiu seemed happy that Earlington, known for his inside presence, gave a good first impression.

“I was worried because we were looking at Hornsby first of TNT, we were looking at Murphy of Ginebra, and I kinda passed up on them because we knew from the start that we would change our import,” he said.

“We did our work early and we picked him (Earlington). But after today’s game, it seems like we made the right decision,” added Tiu.

Earlington is expected to raise his game another notch as Phoenix looks to end the group stage on a bright note with the quarters virtually secured.

Next for Phoenix is Ginebra on Sunday at the same venue and Rain or Shine the following Friday.