Paul Zamar finished the game with 25 points and five rebounds. TRISTAN TAMAYO
Aching to finally win a championship, Paul Zamar refused to let Cafe France sink, downing Phoenix-FEU Accelerators, 100-94 and forcing Game 5 in the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Finals Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Zamar played a scintillating second half, pouring 16 in the final two quarters to finish with 25 points and five rebounds, including the huge baskets in the last two minutes to quash the hopes of the Accelerators.
“Paul played superb basketball today and saved Cafe France,” said coach Egay Macaraya.
Rod Ebondo was unstoppable again from the paint, racking 18 markers and 13 boards, Carl Bryan Cruz had 17 points and eight rebounds, and Samboy de Leon added 15 in the win.
“Wala na akong masasabi sa mga bata (I have nothing to say about the boys). They showed character and they wanted to win this game,” said Macaraya.
The Bakers led by 14, 82-68 in the final 6:47 of the game before the Mac Belo-led Phoenix-FEU trickled the lead down to just one, 89-88, in the last 2:58.
But Zamar had all the answers, bringing the lead back up to six, 94-88 with 1:07 remaining, as the Accelerators misfired from that point forward.
Mike Tolomia carried Phoenix-FEU with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Conference MVP Belo had 24 markers, 17 coming in the fourth, to go with 15 boards.
Game 5 is on Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. TVJ
The Scores:
CAFE FRANCE 100 – Zamar 25, Ebondo 18, Cruz 17, De Leon 15, Abundo 8, Jeruta 8, Casino 3, Villahermosa 3, Manlangit 2, Opiso 1, Arim 0, Celso 0.
PHOENIX-FEU 94 – Tolomia 29, Belo 24, Pogoy 14, Daquioag 9, Jose 6, Inigo 3, Mendoza 3, Andrada 2, Ri. Escoto 2, Ru. Escoto 2, Tamsi 0.
Quarters: 21-21, 47-44, 75-64, 100-94.