Star-studded Accelerators debut versus Rhum Masters

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IT MAY be easy to tag Phoenix as the heavy favorite when the intact Accelerators kick off their back-to-back title bid today in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup.

But not for Tanduay coach Lawrence Chongson, who expects his Rhum Masters to rise to 2-0 against the Accelerators at 4 p.m. at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

Liking the way his team played early on opening day, Chongson said the Rhum Masters just have to sustain their strong start versus the star-studded Accelerators, led by Mac Belo, Mike Tolomia and Ed Daquioag.

“I have to keep reminding the players that we can’t relax,” said Chongson.

Last Thursday, Tanduay cruised to leads as many as 20 points before holding off AMA Online Education’s late run for a 72-66 victory.

“If we play like we did in the first three quarters (against AMA Online), we may be able to give Phoenix a good fight,” said Chongson.

The AMA Titans try to rebound from that loss versus the Racal Tile Masters in the first game at 2 p.m.

Coach Eric Gonzales will again call the shots for the Accelerators, who ruled the Aspirants Cup after downing Cafe France in a thrilling best-of-five Finals that reached full distance.

And Gonzales expects his wards to be in top shape as Belo, last conference’s Most Valuable Player, and Tolomia also came fresh from the Gilas Pilipinas cadets’ title romp at the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (Seaba) Stankovic Cup in Bangkok.

The Rhum Masters will be bannered by Rudy Lingganay and Jaypee Belencion—who teamed up for 22 points in their first victory—along with Gelo Alolino, Louie Vigil and Val Acuña.

A new-look Racal squad, meanwhile, will be headed by Jamil Ortuoste, Rashawn McCarthy, Jonathan Grey and Philip Paniamogan.