Games tomorrow

(Mall of Asia Arena)

4:30 p.m. --NorthPort vs. Meralco

7 p.m.--San Miguel vs. Phoenix

BEFORE Wednesday’s crucial game between Phoenix and  NLEX, both  coaches Louie Alas and Yeng Guiao admitted  defense will be the key to victory.

In  fact, Alas even  claimed the Fuel Masters  will turn  the  game into a defensive battle  instead of a shootout.

Mission accomplished for Phoenix and Alas, who got exactly what he wanted on his 55h birthday Wednesday.

Led by import Michael Phelps and  Calvin Abueva, Phoenix   routed   NLEX, 123-97,  to bolster  its  chances with  its sixth  win in  eight outings in the PBA Governors’Cup  at the Cuneta Astrodome  in Pasay.

Phoenix led  by as  many as 41 points to underscore  their great defensive effort.

Big bounce-back game ito sa amin kasi ‘yung talo  namin sa Ginebra one-possession game lang,” said  Alas.

“We’re back and I like our situation,”he added.

But impressive as their defense was, the  Fuelmasters  still needed a  big  lift from  their hard-working import, Phelps.

Phelps finished  with monster  numbers of 51 points on 21-of-31 shooting from the floor and 20 rebounds in less than 39 minutes.

Abueva added 17 points and seven  rebounds for the Fuel Masters, who settled the outcome of the  match with a 34-18 first quarter.

Matthew Wright added  10 points and seven  assists and Jason Perkins had nine points and eight rebounds for  Phoenix, whose only defeat came at the hands of Ginebra, 99-101, last Sept. 29.

Aaron Fuller  almost singlehandedly  carried the fight for NLEX as he finished with 38 points  and 14 rebounds.

Only Pedrito Galanza, who finished  with  13 points, and Larry Fonacier, who had 10 points, managed to score in double figures for NLEX in the face of Phoenix’s air-tight defense.  So  good, so impressive  were the Fuel Masters’ defense that they limited  the Road Warriors to only  39 percent  shooting (35-of-88) while  making 48 percent (45-of-84)of their shots.

The  Fuel Masters also outrebounded the Road Warriors, 65-43, with Phelps, Perkins and Abueva combining for 35 caroms.

The scores:

Phoenix (123) --Phelps 51, Abueva 17, Wright 10, Perkins 9, Wilson 8, Intal 7, Revilla 5, Jazul 3, Guevarra 3, Mendoza 3, Eriobu 3, Chua 2, Gamboa 2, Alolino 0, Kramer 0.

NLEX (97)  --Fuller 38, Galanza 13, Fonacier 10, Tiongson 6, Monfort 5,  Ighalo 4, Quinahan 4, Marcelo 3, Baguio 3, Rios 3, Miranda 3, Tallo 3, Soyud 2, Paniamogan 0, Taulava 0.

Quarterscores: 34-18, 71-33, 94-67, 123-97.