Phoenix nears D-League title
ROGER Pogoy knocked in the game-winner all the way from 27 feet as Phoenix-Far Eastern University slipped past Cafe France, 85-84, to move within a win of a championship in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at Ynares Sports Arena.
Pogoy buried the improbable triple with 2.9 seconds left off a feed from Achie Iñigo in a last-ditch effort, right after Cafe France big man Rod Ebondo blocked Mike Tolomia and Ed Daquioag’s consecutive attempts.
“I’m just thankful that the players didn’t give up,” said Phoenix coach Eric Gonzales. “The designed play got broken. It was a blessing.”
The Accelerators rallied from as many as 12 points down in the second half, 46-58, as Mac Belo, Ed Daquioag and Pogoy took charge in the thrilling triumph that gave them a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
“I already lost confidence because my shots weren’t going in,” said Pogoy, who shot a woeful 4-of-21 from the field, including his first six attempts from three-point range. “But when Achie passed the ball, I just had to shoot it.”
The Accelerators will go for the crown in Game 4 next Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Center.
Belo topscored with 22 and Daquioag also dropped 20 points as the duo teamed up in the fourth quarter to fuel the Accelerators’ run.
The scores:
PHOENIX-FEU 85—Belo 22, Daquioag 20, Iñigo 15, Pogoy 10, Tolomia 8, Andrada 5, Escoto Ri. 5, Escoto Ru. 0, Mendoza 0, Tamsi 0.
CAFE FRANCE 84—Ebondo 18, Zamar 12, De Leon 11, Villahermosa 11, Cruz 9, Casiño 7, Jeruta 6, Manlangit 5, Celso 4, Abundo 2, Opiso 0.
Quarters: 18-17, 35-37, 61-68, 85-54
