PBA D-League: Belo rises for sluggish Phoenix in 2nd win

Mac Belo. PBA IMAGES

Phoenix overhauled an early 11-point deficit and waylaid Topstar ZC Mindanao, 108-78, Thursday in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

Mac Belo rebounded from his woeful first game showing and captained the blowout, firing 18 of his 25 points in the first half, alongside three rebounds and three steals.

Mike Tolomia was also magnificent in the win with 22 markers, five boards, and four assists, while Ed Daquioag added 16 points and five rebounds.

Roger Pogoy and Jens Knuttel both had 10 markers in the blowout.

The Aguilas caught the Accelerators napping early, jumping to an 11-0 start before Phoenix slowly clawed its way back to the game and pulling away to a 30-point rout.

“Hindi kami nagkulang sa paalala sa players na there will be teams na kung titingnan mo, mukhang walang ibubuga pero basketball players pa rin yan,” said Phoenix coach Eric Gonzales, who gave the reins to assistant coach Richie Ticzon as he recovered from a severe headache.

“We better be consistent. Yun lang ang ine-emphasize namin sa nga players. Yun na lang kasi ang gusto naming makita sa mga players, yung consistency nila.”

Choi Ignacio led the still winless Topstar ZC Mindanao with 14 points.

The Scores:

PHOENIX 108 – Belo 25, Tolomia 22, Daquioag 16, Knuttel 10, Pogoy 10, Inigo 7, Escoto 5, Jamito 5, Pascual 4, Batino 2, Mendoza 2, Andrada 0, Tamsi 0.
TOPSTAR ZC MINDANAO 78 – Ignacio 14, Ongteco 12, Cabrera 10, Jumao-as 9, Rivera 7, Tano 7, Cawaling 6, Garcia 5, Julkipli 3, Rono 3, Sarangay 2, Argamino 0, Dadjilul 0.

Quarters: 22-27, 51-41, 75-65, 108-78.