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[av_heading heading=’Phoenix beats Kia in Govs’ Cup ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Phoenix Fuel Masters rode on the shoulders of Eugene Phelps to score 118-105 against KIA Picanto in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Phelps, who was on his third tour of duty in the league, finished with a double-double – 33 points and 14 rebounds – for Fuel Masters, which hopes to bounce back from a lackluster performance in the Commissioner’s Cup.
JC Intal chipped in with 19 markers while RJ Jazul, Joseph Eriobu and Cyrus Baguio contributed 18, 12 and 11 points, respectively, as they played without Gilas cadet Matthew Wright.
From a tight opening frame, Fuel Masters pulled away behind Intal, Karl Dehesa and Eriobu to build a 31-19 lead. Picanto cut it to 31-24 but another hit by Eriobu gave Fuel Masters an 11-point edge heading into second.
Phoenix widened the lead further in the second quarter to 14 on hits by Phelps. Picanto rallied to within 7 points but Fuel Masters quickly answered with hits for a 57-48 halftime score.
KIA had a strong start in the third set, rallying to within 3 points on a basket by Pedrito Galanza, but Fuel Masters leaned on Angelo Alolino and Eriobu to pull away again 80-67.
Picanto tried to stay within striking distance early in the fourth quarter but Fuel Masters dropped a huge run behind Jazul and Baguio to build its largest lead at 114-99 on a triple by Intal.
Import Markeith Cummings finished with 31 points and 10 rebounds while Galanza and Chito Jaime added 15 and 11 points, respectively, for Picanto, which played without injured rookie Russel Escoto./PN
SCORES
PHOENIX 118 – Phelps 33, Intal 19, Jazul 18, Eriobu 12, Baguio 11, Dehesa 9, Alolino 8, W. Wilson 4, Kramer 2, J. Wilson 2, Hayes 0, Borboran 0, Lanete 0, Miranda 0
KIA 105 – Cummings 31, Galanza 15, Jaime 11, Revilla 10, Paniamogan 9, Caperal 8, Khobuntin 7, Teng 5, Corpuz 4, Celda 3, Camson 2, Ballesteros 0, Salva 0, Elorde 0
QUARTERS – 33-24, 57-48, 83-75, 118-105
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