Accelerators, Tanduay 5 seal title duel

MIKE Tolomia came out hard to stop—even nailing a triple from 25 feet—as Phoenix gained a shot at claiming another PBA D-League championship.

Tolomia’s take-charge game, where he exploded for 31 points in a do-or-die semifinal battle, no longer surprised Phoenix coach Eric Gonzales.

And when Tolomia’s fellow stars Mac Belo, Roger Pogoy and Ed Daquioag also logged in their usual numbers, it’s no surprise that the Accelerators rolled past Cafe France, 89-78, to clinch a title berth in Foundation Cup yesterday at Strike Gym in Bacoor, Cavite.

“I’m just thankful that the players talked among themselves and they knew how important this game is,” said Gonzales. “It’s a good thing that they lived up to the challenge.”

But Phoenix faces another challenge against gritty Tanduay Rhum, which shocked No. 1 Racal, 81-70, in the other winner-take-all semifinal match.
Reden Celda pumped in 21 points as the Rhum Masters overcame the Tile Masters’ twice-to-beat edge to advance to the Finals for the first time.
Game 1 of the best-of-three title series gets going at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow in Laguna.

The scores:
First Game
PHOENIX 89—Tolomia 31, Belo 15, Daquioag 12, Pogoy 11, Tamsi 9, Escoto 5, Andrada 2, Jamito 2, Batino 1, Mendoza 1, Colina 0, Inigo 0, Knuttel 0.
CAFE FRANCE 78—Ebondo 25, Abundo 10, Cruz 7, Jeruta 6, Opiso 6, Casino 5, Zamar 4, Custodio 4, De Leon 4, Manlangit 4, Parala 2.
Quarters: 27-19, 45-40, 71-58, 89-78.
Second Game
TANDUAY RHUM 81—Celda 21, Alolino 14, Ferrer 13, Santos 6, Acuña 6, Eguilos 6, Gotladera 5, Lingganay 4, Tgarda 4, Javillonar 2, Belencion 0, Mendoza 0.
RACAL 70—Ortuoste 16, Grey 15, Celiz 11, Maiquez 9, Paniamogan 8, Cabrera 4, Terso 3, Javier 2, Neypes 2, Banal 0, Corpuz 0.
Quarters: 15-13, 31-38, 59-54, 81-70