Eugene Phelps came up with a tour de force performance as Phoenix topped Columbian Dyip, 113-107, in their 2018 PBA Governors Cup opener on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Phelps torched his opponents with 50 points, 17 rebounds, and eight blocks while making the big baskets in the final stretch.
New acquisition Calvin Abueva had a slow start in his debut for the Fuel Masters, but saved his best for last, blocking two shots before canning a pair of free throws in the waning seconds that sealed the match.
Abueva, acquired in a stunning trade with Alaska a few weeks ago, wound up with 12 points and 13 rebounds to go with five assists and three blocks. Jason Perkins had 11 points, five boards, and and the same number of assists.
Despite the winning start, Phoenix coach Louie Alas found his squad still lacking in defensive intensity.
"We're still not tough defensively," said Alas, whose team gave up 37 points in the third period, in Filipino. "Good thing Eugene came up with a huge game and Calvin was his usual self. That's the reason we moved mountains to acquire him."
The Fuel Masters saw a 96-84 lead sliced little by little after the Dyip got it going and went on a 15-6 tear caped by a Jerramy King 3-pointer, 102-99 with 4:17 remaining.
It was a back-and-forth affair after that, with import Akeem Wright drilling in a triple to pull Columbian to within a possession, 109-107.
Abueva got fouled and split his free throws with 24.9 ticks to go.
Rashawn McCarthy and Wright then had a miscommunication in the ensuing play. Then Phoenix grabbed four consecutive offensive rebounds that translated to two of four free throws, 111-107, 24.5 seconds left to play.
King caught fire in the second half and dropped eight of his team-high 27 points in the final quarter including two treys that kept the Dyip in the game.
Wright added 25 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists for the Dyip, who fell to 0-2. McCarthy shot three triples on his way to 19 markers.
THE SCORES
Phoenix 113 - Phelps 50, Abueva 12, Perkins 11, Intal 8, Jazul 7, Revilla 6, Wright 6, Chua 6, Mendoza 4, Gamboa 3, Eriobu 0
Columbian 107 - King 27, Wright 25, McCarthy 19, Camson 12, Lastimosa 6, Escoto 3, Cahilig 3, Ababou 3, Tubid 3, Corpuz 2, Gabriel 2, Khobuntin 2, Celda 0, Reyes 0, Cabrera 0, Saran 0
Quarterscores: 31-17, 56-42, 84-79, 113-107
EXTRA DRIBBLES
Calvin Abueva played his first game since being suspended indefinitely by former team Alaska in the Commissioner's Cup. He played five games for the Aces.
Andreas Cahilig took an inadvertent knee in the gut after a rebound play late in the third period.
Doug Kramer and Gelo Alolino, sitting behind the bench of the Fuel Masters, are still recovering from injuries.
NEXT GAMES
Phoenix - vs NorthPort on August 26 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Columbian - vs NLEX on August 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum