"El Destructor" mashes Alaska at the buzzer as Phoenix makes breakthrough 2-0 start

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY—Eugene Phelps scored the winning basket as Phoenix staved off a late Alaska rally to win, 95-93, in their PBA Governors' Cup meeting at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday night.

Phelps drove all the way to the basket and laid it up against the outstretched arms of LaDontae Henton as time expired as the Fuel Masters stole the win from the Aces, who came close to completing a comeback from a late deficit.

After seeing its early second quarter run evaporated, Alaska found itself trailing, 76-86, with 5:11 left.

But the club went on a 13-2 run capped by a Nonoy Baclao jumper with a little over a minute remaining.

JC Intal, whose reverse layup was blocked by Baclao, eventually leading to the latter's go-ahead jumper, was never denied with his next reverse attempt and gave Phoenix the lead back, 90-89.

Calvin Abueva went for a layup that he muffed, but Henton tipped the ball back in for a 91-90 Aces lead.

RJ Jazul, however, dropped a booming triple with 29 seconds to go to put the Fuel Masters back ahead, 93-91.

Henton drove to the basket but missed the layup only for Chris Banchero to get the putback for a 93-all tie with 21.1 seconds to go.

Phelps, however, got the ball in the inbound play and went for the isolation before surging to the cup and laying the ball in for the win.

Phelps led Phoenix, which scored its very first 2-0 start in franchise history, with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and two assists.

Jazul added 15 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

Henton finished with 30 points, 10 boards, three dimes, and one block for Alaska, which fell to its 10th straight loss since the Commissioner's Cup.

Box Scores:

Phoenix 95-Phelps 29, Jazul 15, Eriobu 14, J. Wilson 13, Intal 8, Baguio 5, W. Wilson 4, Hayes 2, Alolino 2, Borboran 2, Kramer 1, Dehesa 0, Lanete 0

Alaska 93-Henton 30, Enciso 17, Banchero 9, Manuel 9, Abueva 8, Dela Cruz 5, Baclao 4, Thoss 4, Magat 4, Galliguez 2, Racal 1, Exciminiano 0, Hontiveros 0, Casio 0

Quarterscores: 18-22, 43-46, 72-70, 95-93

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