Du’Vaughn Maxwell is the right one for Phoenix Super LPG.
That’s according to none other than Fuel Masters head coach Topex Robinson, definitely pleased as the American cager proved the team right of its decision to switch imports approaching the tail-end of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Brought in to replace Dominique Sutton, Maxwell wasted no time showing why his services were tapped as he posted 21 points and 21 rebounds to lead his side to an important 104-99 victory over Alaska on Thursday.
“In an import conference, you really have to have somebody that the locals will believe in, and Du’Vaughn was really the right fit for us,” the youthful bench tactician offered moments after the match at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
A globetrotting pro since 2014, Maxwell is Phoenix’s third import. The club had to search for a new reinforcement when Paul Harris wasn’t recovering as fast as expected from his hamstring injury, leading to Sutton’s return to the league.
Sutton, however, could not get the Ws for the Fuel Masters, winning just once in the four games he saw action. The former Air21 and GlobalPort import averaged just 16.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 steals.
Photo by PBA Images
What Robinson liked in particular about Maxwell was the energy he provided, which was evident in the 42 minutes he played against the Aces. He was active on the boards and cleanups, and was defending well, too.
Thus the 20-20 outing, on top of three assists and two blocks.
Maxwell also showed that he can come through in the endgame. He made the big and-one play off a pick-and-roll set with 20.6 seconds left, which threw a wrench to Alaska’s comeback bid after falling by 14 early in the fourth.
“He brought so much energy to us,” lauded the former cager turned mentor.
“I think what he brought to us was, again, solid defense on the paint. He’s making smart moves defensively, down the stretch, he was making shots.”
Thanks to Maxwell’s help, Phoenix earned the badly-needed victory. Not only did it snap the team’s three-game losing skid, but it also kept them very much in the thick of the fight for a quarterfinal spot with a 5-5 record.
Now, the Fuel Masters are definitely hoping to see something similar to that from their new import, as they are about to meet Meralco on Friday in a match so crucial for their aspirations of making it to the next round.
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