FOR veteran import Eugene Phelps, he is positive that the Phoenix Fuel Masters can finally barge into their first-ever semifinal round appearance in the ongoing 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup.
Phelps said the maturity of his teammates and the entry of veteran Calvin Abueva and rookie Jason Perkins have helped the Fuel Masters to their best start so far in the league.
“I think it’s maturity. We just keep playing as a team,” said Phelps, who is on his fifth tour of duty with the team. “It’s just a team effort you know, keep on working, keep on going and see where we go.”
The Fuel Masters are currently tied with the Alaska Aces on third place in the standings with a 7-3 win-loss slate behind the Magnolia Hotshots (8-2) and the defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings (7-2).
A victory in their final elimination round match against the Blackwater Elite (6-3) on Nov. 4 will assure the Fuel Masters of a top-four finish and a twice-to-beat incentive in the playoffs.
“The goal is to get at least [on the] top four, and then you never know,” Phelps said. “Once you get to the top four, you can probably make it to the championship. Once we get there, anything is possible.”
ROUGHING UP ALMAZAN
Disgruntled center Raymond Almazan has finally patched things up with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and head coach Carlos Garcia, but still did not escape punishment.
Rain or Shine governor Atty. Mamerto Mondragon said Almazan’s around a month’s worth of salary will be forfeited due to his absences and he will not be allowed to play for the rest of the Governors’ Cup.
“He’s (Almazan) rejoining the team already,” Mondragon said in an interview with ESPN 5. “I’ve asked him to show up in practice Tuesday but he’ll only report for duty on Nov. 2.”
Painters co-team owner Raymond Yu seconded Mondragon, saying Almazan was told to sit out the team’s remaining matches with them already out of the playoff contention.
“Since we won’t be advancing to the next round, we chose not to let him play na lang but he needs to be present when the team begins the preparation for PBA Philippine Cup,” Yu said in a separate interview.
Even though he is penalized, Almazan already made amends with the team after going incommunicado for over a month due to alleged differences with Garcia, Mondragon assured.
Almazan “felt he was always being singled out (by Garcia) when he’s absent or comes late for practice. I think there’s nothing wrong when Garcia calls his attention for being late or absent,” Mondragon said. “So he admitted his mistake.”
With Almazan a no-show since Oct. 3, the Painters only won twice in their last six games. They are currently on the 10th spot with their 2-7 record – and, again, no longer in contention for the playoff round./PN
