Phelps fuels Phoenix to victory over Meralco

Eugene Phelps had 24 points and 19 rebounds as the Phoenix Fuelmasters managed to keep the Meralco Bolts grounded, 96-86, on Wednesday in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup.

The Fuelmasters took the lead midway through the second period and never looked back, maintaining a double digit lead for most of the second half to cruise to victory.

Phoenix shot 50 percent from the field, while Meralco shot 38 percent. Calvin Abueva, in particular, went 7 of 8 from the field while Jason Perkins hit 6 of 15. The two led the local starters with 16 and 13 points, respectively.

Matthew Wright, meanwhile, chipped in 16 off the bench with five assists and three boards in just 20 minutes on the floor.

The Bolts slashed a late 18-point lead to single digits in the final minute after a 9-0 run, but the deficit proved to be too large a hole to climb out of as Meralco ran out of time.

Chris Newsome led Meralco with 18 points, while Allen Durham tallied 16 with 13 rebounds and nine assists. — BAP, GMA News

Garvo Lanete and Reynel Hugnatan had 11 and 10 points, respectively off the bench, but Baser Amer was limited to five points off an atrocious 1 of 11 clip from the field.