PBA IMAGES
MIKE Tolomia gave Phoenix an early lift as the depleted Accelerators still proved too much for AMA Online Education, 97-89, in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Monday at JCSGO Gym.
Playing minus two team stars, the Accelerators banked on Tolomia’s first-quarter binge on the way to grabbing the solo lead with a perfect 3-0 card.
Although Phoenix coach Eric Gonzales liked his team’s strong effort even without last conference’s MVP Mac Belo and Roger Pogoy—both with hamstring concerns—he frowned on his men’s lack of consistency.
Tolomia fired 14 of his game-high 27 points in the first quarter, where the Accelerators built a 29-16 lead that stretched to 23 points, 70-47, by the third quarter.
The Accelerators, though, allowed the Titans to come within, 95-89, in the fourth quarter.
“It’s evident that the consistency I was looking for wasn’t there,” said Gonzales. “I’m not contended.”
In the other game, Tanduay Rhum kept Blustar Detergent at bay all the way for a 94-71 rout.
Val Acuña led a balanced charge with 14 points as the Rhum Masters zoomed to a 23-3 start versus the Dragons, who banked on a core of Malaysian players.
“For us, this is a bounce-back game,” said coach Lawrence Chongson after his Rhum Masters rebounded from a loss to the Accelerators for a 2-1 slate.
The Accelerators also leaned on the big outings of Ed Daquioag (18 points, six rebounds) and Alfrancis Tamsi (16 points).
The scores:
First Game
PHOENIX 97—Tolomia 27, Daquioag 18, Tamsi 16, Jamito 11, Mendoza 7, Pascual 6, Iñigo 5, Batino 3, Andrada 2, Escoto 2, Knuttel 0.
AMA ONLINE 89—Arambulo 18, Asuncion 17, Publico 17, Taganas 14, Belleza 10, Montemayor Jo. 9, Bragais 2, Magpantay 2, Dizon 0, Jordan 0, Montemayor Je. 0, Ragasa 0.
Quarters: 29-16, 58-39, 78-57, 97-89
Second Game
TANDUAY 94—Acuña 14, Javillonar 13, Celda 11, Mendoza 10, Vigil 10, Alolino 9, Santos 6, Enguio 5, Lingganay 5, Belencion 3, Stevens 3, Tagarda 3, Gotladera 2, Acibar 0.
BLUSTAR 71—Kuek 23, Wong 12, Ting 11, Ma 9, Choo 5, Yeo 4, Liaw 3, Teo 3, Mak 1, Kamarrudin 0, Ong 0, Palma 0.
Quarters: 37-12, 51-26, 71-47, 94-71