AS PHOENIX goes for a season sweep, Tanduay Rhum hopes to make a mark of its own as the first fourth seed to bag the championship in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
“Most have written us off already,” said Tanduay coach Lawrence Chongson, whose Rhum Masters also stunned No. 1 Racal in the semifinals. “But this is a testament that as long you’re fighting, there’s always a chance.”
Game 3 of the best-of-three Finals series is set at 5 p.m. today at Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
Although the Rhum Masters forged a do-or-die duel by winning Game 2, 89-75, last Tuesday, Chongson wouldn’t exactly say that momentum shifted in their favor.
“Before we get ahead of the story, all we did was tie the series up,” said Chongson. “Phoenix is a dangerous animal.”
Aside from Belo—who exploded for 30 points in their 84-76 Game 1 win—the Accelerators boast other standouts like Roger Pogoy, Ed Daquioag and conference Most Valuable Player Mike Tolomia.
“Malaki ang tiwala ko sa team namin (I greatly trust my team),” said Phoenix star Mac Belo.
“Whatever we have to improve on, we have to do it in this game,” said Alolino, who scored 26 points for the Rhum Masters in Game 2.