Game 1 win best gift for birthday boy Daquioag

Phoenix Accelerators. PBA IMAGES

BIÑAN—Ed Daquioag got the happy birthday he deserved.

The former UST star, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Thursday, had another reason to cheer about as Phoenix scored an 84-76 victory over Tanduay in Game 1 of the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Finals.

“Sobrang saya. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam,” said Daquioag, who who was welcomed by well-wishers who greeted him at Alonte Sports Arena here.

“Lahat sila binabati ako, even yung mga tao dito. Di ako sanay na maraming bumabati kasi mga kaibigan ko lang lagi eh.”

Though Daquioag didn’t finish as the leading scorer for the game, the win was enough to put him over the heavens.

He had seven points, eight rebounds, and three assists, a steal, and a block in the victory. But more importantly, he made a crucial play where he scored on an undergoal stab to seal the deal, 82-76, with 30.4 seconds remaining.

“Siguro birthday gift din sa akin. Thankful ako dun kay God,” he said.

Daquioag, though, isn’t resting on his laurels as he hopes that the Phoenix finishes the job on Tuesday.

“Parang Duterte kami dapat: Shoot to kill,” he said with a smile. “Kung lalamang kami, dapat idiin na namin. All out kami sa Tuesday.”