The Phoenix Accelerators re-established their dominance in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup, downing the Tanduay Rhum Masters, 108-95, Tuesday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Ed Daquioag led the late rally for the Accelerators, unleashing 13 of his 27 points in the payoff period to go with eight rebounds.
“Kita mo naman yung pagbabago sa team,” Phoenix head coach Eric Gonzales gushed about his team. “I told them na kung saan tayo nadapa, doon tayo bumangon. Thankful ako dahil nagrespond naman yung mga players.”
Mac Belo paired up in the breakaway, as 11 of his 16 markers came in the fourth period. He also had seven boards.
Mike Tolomia also netted 16 points, Raymond Jamito missed out on a double-double with 12 markers and nine rebounds, and Russel Escoto finished with 11.
The Accelerators pulled away from a close 76-72 third quarter and fired 32 points in the final frame as they cruised to their sixth victory in seven games.
“Kita naman yung problema namin ng third quarter, and all we did was to play defense on (Gelo) Alolino. Buti nadepensahan naman ni Ed,” Gonzales added.
Alolino carried the fight for Tanduay with 28 points and six assists, but that still wasn’t enough as the Rhum Masters fell to 5-3.
Jeff Javillonar added 13 markers, while Jovet Mendoza got 12 points and six boards in the loss.
The Scores:
Phoenix (108) – Daquioag 27, Belo 16, Tolomia 16, Jamito 12, Escoto 11, Pogoy 9, Mendoza 7, Knuttel 4, Batino 3, Inigo 2, Andrada 1, Tamsi 0.
Tanduay (95) – Alolino 28, Javillonar 13, Mendoza 12, Gotladera 11, Acuna 10, Celda 8, Santos 6, Cenal 2, Tagarda 2, Acibar 1, Lo 1, Stevens 1, Belencion 0, Lingganay 0.
Quarterscores: 20-25, 51-43, 76-72, 108-95.
