Phelps fires 50 as Phoenix defeats Columbian

Eugene Phelps had 50 big points, while Calvin Abueva had an impressive debut as the Phoenix Fuelmasters leaned on a strong start to defeat the Columbian Dyip, 113-107, on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum in the elimination round of the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup.

Phelps shot a high 62 percent from the field after making 20 shots of 32 attempts. The import also tallied 17 rebounds with eight blocks in under 45 minutes of the floor.

Calvin Abueva added 12 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists with three blocks and a steal off the bench.

The Beast was on the floor for almost 24 minutes, stuffing his stat sheet while committing just one turnover.

Save for a brief period midway through the first quarter, Phoenix led all the way, establishing a 31-17 edge after the first 12 minutes to earn the win.

Columbian did make it interesting in the fourth, trimming an 11-point lead at the 6:49 mark to just two with 1:24 left, 109-107.

The Dyip, however, failed to score in the final minute, while allowing Phoenix to string four from the stripe to absorb its second straight defeat.

Jerramy King paced Columbian with 27 points, while Akeem Wright added 2 markers with 14 boards and six assists. Rashawn McCarthy posted 19, while Eric Camson added 12 off the bench. — BAP, GMA News