Pogoy hits winner as Phoenix-FEU moves a win away from title

Phoenix-FEU celebrates after Roger Pogoy (7) buried the game-winning triple in Game 3 of the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Finals. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Amid a shooting slump, Roger Pogoy came through when it mattered most as he pushed Phoenix-FEU past Cafe France, 85-84, in Game 3 of the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Pogoy drained a game-winning triple with 2.3 seconds left as the Accelerators are now on the cusp of winning the title with a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five finals series. He finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.

Pogoy’s clutch basket was his team’s third try to win the game after Mike Tolomia and Ed Daquioag’s attempts were denied by Bakers center Rod Ebondo. It was also his lone conversion from the three-point area after missing his first six tries.

Cafe France had a chance to respond but Mon Abundo’s hail mary missed its mark as time ran out.

“I don’t have anything to do with that. I’m thankful to the players because they didn’t give up” said Phoenix-FEU head coach Eric Gonzales in Filipino.

Mac Belo led the Accelerators with 22 points and seven boards while Ed Daquioag added 20 points and six rebounds. Achie Iñigo, who assisted on Pogoy’s last-second shot, chipped in 15 points and five rebounds.

“I told them, ‘Do you really want to win?’ I kept on challenging them,” said Gonzales.

The Accelerators fought from nine points down, 80-71 in the last four minutes and closed the gap to just two, 84-82 on a tough layup from Mike Tolomia with 24.5 seconds to go. Carl Bryan Cruz missed his charities in the ensuing possession that paved the way for Pogoy’s winner.

Ebondo had a double-double with 18 points and 18 rebounds for Cafe France while Paul Zamar ended up with 12 points.

Phoenix-FEU can clinch the series in Game 4 on Tuesday at San Juan Arena.

The scores:

PHOENIX-FEU 85 – Belo 22, Daquioag 20, Iñigo 15, Pogoy 10, Tolomia 8, Andrada 5, Ri. Escoto 5, Ru. Escoto 0, Mendoza 0, Tamsi 0.

CAFE FRANCE 84 – Ebondo 18, Zamar 12, De Leon 11, Villahermosa 10, Cruz 9, Casiño 7, Jeruta 6, Manlangit 5, Celso 4, Abundo 2, Opiso 0.

Quarters: 18-17, 35-37, 61-68, 85-84.