by JONAS TERRADO
Old reliable Eugene Phelps is set for another tour of duty with Phoenix Pulse in the PBA Governors’ Cup which begins in September.
Coach Louie Alas confirmed Phelps’ return for the season-ending conference, hoping that his presence will help the Fuel Masters get back on winning track after failing to make the quarterfinals of the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup.
Alas added that he hopes to have Phelps a month before the Governors’ Cup opener in order to reacquaint himself with the team he has played since his debut in the 2016 Governors’ Cup.
The player nicknamed “El Destructor” is currently in Taiwan playing for Mighty Sports-Go for Gold Philippines in the William Jones Cup where he’s one of the reasons why the squad has won all of its first five games.
Phelps averaged 29.7 points, 18.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.9 blocks in his last appearance in the 2018 Governors’ Cup, helping Phoenix finish second in the eliminations.
Phoenix, however, lost to Meralco in the quarterfinals despite a twice-to-beat advantage.
The Fuel Masters failed to replicate their breakthrough semifinal appearance in the Philippine Cup when they went 4-7 in the eliminations, barely missing a chance to play a knockout match for the last quarterfinals berth.
Phoenix had the same record of Alaska and Meralco, which arranged a playoff for the No. 8 spot because of better quotients.