The Phoenix Accelerators used a 27-10 second quarter spurt to pull away and dominate the Tanduay Rhum Masters, 98-79, in their PBA D-League Foundation Cup debut on Tuesday at the JCSGO Seed Dome in Quezon City.
Leading by just a point, 23-22, early in the second period, reigning Aspirants Cup winners Phoenix launched a 24-0 run to break the game wide open and take control.
Triples by Ed Daquioag and Jens Knuttel gave Phoenix a 35-22 lead. The Accelerators kept punishing the Rhum Masters, scoring 17 turnover points in the first half alone.
Phoenix entered the halftime break ahead, 47-27 and were led by Daquioag’s 20 first half points, which included 14 in the second frame on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting.
All players fielded in scored for Phoenix. Daquioag went on to finish with 22 points on 8-for-11 shooting in just over 25 minutes of play. Mike Tolomia added 15 points, while Roger Pogoy chipped in 12 points.
Phoenix shot 51 percent overall, and 42 percent from three-point area. Tanduay, in contrast, hit only three of their 17 outside shots.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanila sa huddle kahapon, I am very happy sa nakikita ko kasi nage-enjoy lang sila, may trust sila sa isa’t isa,” Phoenix head coach Erick Gonzales said.
Phoenix shall play the Topstar ZC-Mindanao Aguilas next, and Gonzales added the Accelerators should play the same way regardless of who they’re facing.
“Winarningan ko lang sila na don’t underestimate the opponent. You don’t have to fear the opponent but respect the opponent,” Gonzales said.
“Lahat yan, basketball player. Respeto sa kalaban, play consistent basketball.”
Tanduay, who dropped to 1-1 after the loss, were led by Jovet Mendoza’s 11 points. Four others scored nine points.
The Scores:
Phoenix (98) – Daquioag 22, Tolomia 15, Pogoy 12, Inigo 8, Jamito 8, Andrada 7, Escoto 6, Mendoza 5, Belo 4, Pascual 4, Batino 2, Knuttel 2.
Tanduay Rhum (79) – Mendoza 11, Alolino 9, Acibar 9, Lingganay 9, Santos 9, Vigil 8, Tagarda 6, Celda 5, Acuna 4, Gotladera 3, Belencion 1.
Quarterscores: 20-17, 47-27, 75-50, 98-79.
