Phelps' offensive prowess tows Phoenix past Kia in Governors' Cup opener

Games Friday

(Smart-Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m.- Meralco vs Blackwater

7 p.m.- GlobalPort vs Rain or Shine

 

MANILA, Philippines — Eugene Phelps showed a glimpse of what he can do as he powered Phoenix to an emphatic 118-105 victory over KIA Picanto to jumpstart its ambitious bid in Wednesday’s start of the PBA Governor’s Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

 

Known for a pair of 50-plus-point outbursts with this same team, Phelps didn’t disappoint as he unloaded 33 points this time to go with 14 rebounds and three blocks in just 35 minutes to carry the Fuel Masters to their first victory.

 

So impressive was Phelps that he scored more in fewer minutes than KIA’s Markeith Cummings, formerly of GlobalPort who scattered 31 in 44 minutes.

 

Phelps would have scored more had he not sat out the final seven minutes of the fourth quarter due to cramps as well as to rest hurting fingers he injured during his stint in Puerto Rico months back.

 

“He’s getting there, he hurt his fingers in Puerto Rico,” said Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia on Phelps, who dropped 52 points in this same conference last year and 53 points in his first and only game as a temporary import in the Commissioner’s Cup this year.

 

“We know what Eugene can give us,” he added.

 

Vanguardia said they are eyeing nothing less than finishing in the top four.

 

“We want to be in the hunt for the fourth spot and we’re very ambitious conference and I think we had chemistry to go to the next level,” he said.

 

Vanguardia also liked the way his veterans—JC Intal, Cyrus Baguio and RJ Jazul—imposed their will.

Intal fired 19 points, Jazul 18 and Baguio 11 while providing the needed leadership that impressed their coach.

“Our veterans did a great job today (yesterday). JC played well, we know what Cyrus can give us and RJ is not hesitant to lead the team anymore,” said Vanguardia.