Phoenix Pulse paraded a new import Alonzo Gee who exploded for 45 points against Columbian but it was not enough as the Dyip carved out a 106-104 victory in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Columbian import was not as spectacular but proved more effective with 30 points and 19 rebounds. Rookie standout CJ Perez added 25 points and eight rebounds for the Dyip which arrested a two-game slide.
With the victory the Dyip (4 wins, 4 losses) climbed into sixth place.
Leading the standings is the unbeaten TNT Katropa (7-0). Trailing closely are the NLEX Road Warriors (5-1), the San Miguel Beermen (5-2), the Meralco Bolts (4-2) and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (3-2).
The other teams include Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (3-4), the North Port Batang Pier (3-4), the Rain or Shine Elastopainters (2-5), the Blackwater Elite, Phoenix (2-6), Blackwater Elite (2-5) and the Alaska Aces (1-6).
Rashawn McCarthy, displayed his veteran leadership by converting clutch baskets in the fourth quarter to help the Dyip regain control of the match.
The Fuel Masters rode the coattails of the Gee to wrest the lead in the third quarters.
Gee, who played his first game for the Fuel Masters, replaced Eugene Phelps as the Phoenix import.
Gee is a product of University of Alabama and played for the Crimson Tide men’s basketball team for four seasons.
Gee was undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft but managed to join the San Antonio Spurs for the 2009 NBA Summer League. On September 27, 2009, he signed by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was later waived by the Timberwolves on October 6, 2009.
He is a journeyman player of the National Basketball Association. He played for the Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers and the New Orleans Pelicans.
The scores:
Columbian Dyip 106—Khapri Alston 30, CJ Perez 25, Jackson Corpuz 18, Rashawn McCarthy 16, Andreas Cahilig 7, Juami Tiongson 4, JP Calvo 4, Glen Khobuntin 2, Keith Agovida 0, Eric Camson 0, Reden Celda 0, Jiffy Faundo 0.
Phoenix Pulse Fuelmasters 104—Alonzo Gee 45, Jason Perkins 20, Alex Mallari 11, Mike Gamboa 8, Dave Marcelo 6, RJ Jazul 6, Jorey Napoles 3, Justin Chua 2, Doug Kramer 2, RR Garcia 1, Davon Potts 0,
Quarter scores: 28-20, 54-42, 74-76, 106-104.
