All eyes on imports as Mahindra, Phoenix clash
PHOENIX has tapped a new super import in Eugene Phelps, at least based on his first game.
How Phelps fashions an encore would be the nagging question when the Fuel Masters square off with a Mahindra crew aiming to stretch its surprising run in the PBA Governors Cup Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A fifth straight win and the solo lead is on the crosshairs of the Enforcer and Chris Gavina, chief assistant to playing-coach Manny Pacquiao, said they’ve used the break from their last game Aug. 3 to precisely gear up for Phelps and Phoenix.
“It’s been a long hard week of preparation for our team going to this game,” said the youthful tactician.
“We have covered all the bases in regards to what Phoenix does best and we have fine-tuned our movements and skills sets. We’re ready to go to war tomorrow.”
Phelps should lead Phoenix’s counter-attack.
The replacement for the bland Marcus Simmons shrugged off a lost tooth and exploded for a conference-high 52 points on top of 16 rebounds and 6.0 assists in his debut game, leading to Phoenix’s breakthrough 120-107 victory over GlobalPort last July 31.
Now having had the time to grow more accustomed to Fuel Masters coach Ariel Vanguardia’s system and his teammates, Phelps is again expected to dish out another sterling game.
But even Vanguardia has to admit a drawn-out struggle is in the offing for his team as it hopes to break out of a current tie for seventh to 11th, which could only be realized with a second straight win, and from there gain inclusion among the top eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals following the 11-game eliminations.
“Every game now at this stage is crucial,” said Vanguardia. “This is the game of the conference for us. Mahindra is a very disciplined team. We have to disrupt what they want to do.”
First, Vanguardia and his players must find a solution to import James White, who anchors Mahindra’s charge. The 23-year-old fresh out of Georgia Tech has been averaging 29 points and 13.5 rebounds per game thus far and is coming off two games where he normed 33 ppg and 13 rpg.
“White is the (New Orleans Pelicans’) Anthony Davis of the PBA, a matchup problem for us,” said Vanguardia.
Phelps is more muscular and has a wider variety of shots than the stringy White, although the latter is rangier and more agile.
Which reinforcement comes up with a better performance should tow his team to the W.
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