PHOENIX standout Ed Daquioag lays it up off a trio of Blustar Detergent defenders in yesterday’s game at Ynares Sports Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
JUST like in the Aspirants’ Cup, Tanduay Rhum proved a thorn on Cafe France’s side as the Rhum Masters snapped the Bakers’ unbeaten start with a thrilling 84-80 victory Thursday night in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
With Gelo Alolino and Adrian Santos taking charge, the Rhum Masters fought back from 27-47 early on before keeping their poise in a tight endgame to tie the Bakers at second spot with their third win in four games.
The Bakers’ loss meant Phoenix Petroleum remained alone at the top after securing its fourth straight victory at the expense of a gritty Blustar Detergent, 97-94, earlier.
The Accelerators bucked the absence of star forward Mac Belo in the last three quarters after the Far Eastern U standout was ejected for a flagrant foul on Blustar forward Chun Hung Ting with 10.1 seconds left in the first period.
Ed Daquioag continued his fiery play for the Accelerators, pouring 13 of his team-high 25 points in the last quarter to finally take the fight out of a squad bannered by players of reigning Asean Basketball League titlists Kuala Lumpur Dragons.
The Accelerators also drew another clutch performance from Mike Tolomia who added 20 points, including the go-ahead basket, 94-92.
“We were too complacent and that gave the opponents some confidence,” said Phoenix coach Eric Gonzales.
Alolino shot 22 points, while Santos chipped in 17 points, including eight in the final period.
The scores:
First Game:
PHOENIX 97—Daquioag 25, Tolomia 20, Jamito 19, Pogoy 10, Escoto 6, Tamsi 5, Mendoza 4, Andrada 3, Batino 2, Belo 2, Pascual 1, Inigo 0, Knuttel 0.
BLUSTAR 94—Tiongson 34, Kuek 21, Ting 12, Ma 11, Choo 5, Teo 5, Liaw 3, Wong 3, Mak 0, Ong 0, Palma 0.
Quarters: 23-23, 48-47, 72-73, 97-94
Second Game:
TANDUAY 84—Alolino 22, Santos 17, Celda 12, Vigil 9, Belencion 6, Javillonar 6, Acuna 4, Mendoza 4, Gotladera 2, Tagarda 2, Enguio 0, Lingganay 0, Stevens 0.
CAFE FRANCE 80—Cruz 15, De Leon 15, Ebondo 15, Zamar 10, Jeruta 8, Manlangit 8, Casino 6, Opiso 2, Villahermosa 1, Abundo 0, Parala 0.
Quarters: 18-20, 30-47, 50-59, 84-80