MANILA -- Phoenix lost a key guy in streak-shooting Jeff Chan through a trade.
But on Wednesday night, the team made GlobalPort feel the absence of lockdown stopper Julius Sargent more.
The Fuel Masters went on an offensive barrage to maul the Batang Pier, 135-108, in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
In a battle of teams that recently struck separate swaps with Ginebra, Phoenix barely felt the loss of Chan as the team played fluid offense all throughout, making 55 percent of its baskets and assisting on 32 made shots while quickly opening a double-digit edge that stood as high as 36 and never looking back.
Eugene Phelps made a 30-20 triple-double of 37 points, 23 rebounds, and 10 assists with two blocks and one steal for the Fuel Masters, who stayed alive in the quarterfinal race by moving up to 4-6 with a do-or-die showdown with the Alaska Aces waiting in the wings.
Matt Wright collected 24 markers on 9-of-13 shooting with two rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
Malcolm White finished with 24 points of his own with six rebounds and a steal for the Batang Pier, who fell to 4-5.
The scores:
Phoenix 135 -- Phelps 37, Wright 24, Perkins 13, Jazul 11, Revilla 9, Intal 9, Gamboa 9, Kramer 6, Wilson 6, Dehesa 4, Guevarra 3, Chua 2, Mendoza 2, Eriobu 0.
GlobalPort 108 -- White 24, Anthony 15, Pringle 14, Javelona 10, Pringle 9, Grey 9, Elorde 9, Guinto 8, Arana 7, Tautuaa 6, Gabayni 2, Flores 2, Nabong 1, Bulawan 0.
Quarters: 41-22, 70-51, 107-77, 135-108. (PNA)
