CALVIN Abueva quickly made his presence felt for Phoenix in the endgame as it held off a feisty rally from Columbian Dyip and take a 113-107 win in the PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Abueva did the things that he’s been known for throughout his career as he blocked Jerramy King’s attempt to tie the game with less than a minute to go before coming up with two crucial offensive rebounds which resulted in him getting fouled with 24 seconds left in the game.
‘The Beast’ split his free throws to give the Fuel Masters a 110-107 lead, but Rashawn McCarthy threw a wayward pass on the other end to seal the win for Phoenix.
“Defensively wala pa talaga kaming toughness. We gave up 37 in the third quarter. Not to discount Kia pero sabi ko sa kanila, makakashoot lang sa atin yan sa transition most of the time that’s if we turn the ball over,” said Phoenix head coach Louie Alas.
“Good thing a huge game from Eugene (Phelps) then Calvin being Calvin. That’s why pinilit namin makuha si Calvin. Extra body, extra energy,” he added.
Abueva’s late-game heroics salvaged another monster game from Eugene Phelphs who finished with 50 points, 17 rebounds, and eight blocks to pace the Fuel Masters.
It was the third time that Phelps had a 50-point game to open the conference according to PBA Chief Statistician Fidel Mangonon III. Phelps set his career high in the opener of last year’s Commissioner’s Cup as he finished with 53 points against Blackwater.
Abueva also got his numbers as he finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in just 24 minutes off the bench for the Fuel Masters as Jason Perkins added 11 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Fuel Masters opened like a house on fire in the first half, opening a 28-10 lead behind the red-hot Phelps.
But the Dyip turned to peppery backcourt of King and McCarthy who willed the team back to make a game out of it.
Sadly for them, it wasn’t meant to be as they dropped their second straight game in the conference.
King continued his high-scoring ways for coach Johnedel Cardel as he finished with 27 points. Akeem Wright added 25 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out as McCarthy finished with 19 points, four assists and two steals.
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
Quarters: 31-17, 56-42, 84-79, 113-107
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph