Mike Tolomia showed the way for the Phoenix Accelerators as they dethroned defending champions Café France Bakers, 89-78, to advance to the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Finals Tuesday at Strike Gym in Bacoor, Cavite.
Having learned from the team’s miscues in Game One, the MVP contender went hard and willed the Accelerators to victory with 31 points, four assists, and three rebounds.
“He took charge and he really had that winner’s attitude,” Phoenix head coach Eric Gonzales shared about Tolomia.
Mac Belo gave his team ample help with a double-double of 15 markers, 14 boards, three assists, and a block. Ed Daquioag added 12 points, and Roger Pogoy fired three treys en route to his 11 points for Phoenix.
“Our goal is to be there in the Finals. We want to win and play with all our hearts,” said Gonzales. “I’m just thankful sa players dahil sila-sila nag-usap and they knew how important this game is.”
“It’s a good thing that they lived up to the challenge.”
Tolomia ended the first half with a huge 25-foot trey and lit a fire in the Accelerators as they pounded on the Bakers in the second half, leading by as much as eighteen, 80-62, on their way to an 11-point victory.
The three-point shooting also proved to be a huge factor for Phoenix, as they were 15-of-39 from rainbow country.
Rod Ebondo topped Café France with 25 points and 19 rebounds, while Mon Abundo had 10 markers in the defeat.
Besides this loss, Egay Macaraya’s collegiate team, the San Sebastian Stags, had suffered their ninth straight setback earlier in the day.
The Scores:
Phoenix (89) – Tolomia 31, Belo 15, Daquioag 12, Pogoy 11, Tamsi 9, Escoto 5, Andrada 2, Jamito 2, Batino 1, Mendoza 1, Colina 0, Inigo 0, Knuttel 0.
Cafe France (78) – Ebondo 25, Abundo 10, Cruz 7, Jeruta 6, Opiso 6, Casino 5, Zamar 4, Custodio 4, De Leon 4, Manlangit 4, Parala 2.
Quarterscores: 27-19, 45-40, 71-58, 89-78.
