Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – Phoenix vs Globalport
6:45 p.m. – San Miguel vs Star
Phoenix tries to end its losing skid with a new import in Eugene Phelps when it battles winless Globalport today in the PBA Governors’ Cup elimination round action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Phelps, who played college ball for Long Beach State, replaced the ineffective Marcus Simmons and management is hopeful that the former will fit right away with Phoenix against Globalport.
“Marcus Simmons was a hard worker and gave his best everyday, but we needed someone to fill in a big-man position that can give us a much needed inside presence both offensively and defensively,” Phoenix official Raymond Zorilla said.
The game between Phoenix and Globalport is set at 4:30 p.m., before the 6:45 p.m. game between Star and defending champion San Miguel Beer.
SMB suffered its first loss in three matches at the hands of Mahindra, 105-103, last week.
Star, on the other hand, is fresh from a 105-102 overtime win over Globalport. Star is 1-2.
The 26-year-old Phelps recently played for Guayama, a pro team in Puerto Rico. He led the team in rebounding with nearly 10 boards per game while averaging 17 points 24 games.
In that league, Phelps earned the moniker “El Destructor” and Zorrilla said they’re hoping that he can bring the same intensity when he debuts for the franchise mentored by rookie coach Ariel Vanguardia.
“Phelps earned the nickname “El Destructor” for his style of play,” said the team manager of Phoenix. “We hope that he can make an immediate impact in our team and hopefully get our first win in our next game.”
Phelps will be matched up against Globalport’s reinforcement in Michael Glover, nicknamed “Optimus Prime” who debuted with 27 points and 12 rebounds in that setback against Star.
Globalport will rely on their dynamic backcourt tandem of Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle with backing from new recruits Karl Dehesa and Yousef Taha, and mainstays Doug Kramer, Billy Mamaril and Joseph Yeo.
Phoenix will lean on the likes of Mark Borboran, Willie Wilson, Chico Lanete, Josh Urbiztondo, rookies Mark Cruz and Norbert Torrest, and Asian reinforcement Gwan Hee-Lee from South Korea.