Phoenix claims PBA D-League Foundation Cup title

PBA D-League Foundation Cup champions Phoenix Accelerators. PBA IMAGES

BINAN – Phoenix once again showed its dominance and conquered Tanduay, 87-78, in Game 3 of the Finals to win the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Alonte Sports Arena on Thursday here.

Conference MVP Mike Tolomia bucked his poor shooting and dropped nine of his 21 points in the fourth period and registered seven rebounds and four assists to bring the Accelerators back to the top of the mountain.

Mac Belo also provided the stability, tallying a double-double with 14 markers and 10 boards, while Ed Daquioag got 10 points and five dimes for Phoenix.

The Accelerators completed a season sweep after beating Cafe France in the Aspirants’ Cup in their inaugural season.

Reinvigorated by the entry of Raymar Jose to the roster, Phoenix opened the game with a 32-17 lead which they extended to as high as 20.

Val Acuna and Rudy Lingganay would then take charge for the Rhum Masters to bring the squad to as close as three, 66-63 early, in the fourth before Belo and Tolomia towed the Accelerators to the victory in the clutch.

“Na-experience na namin yung mga ganoong games na lumalamang kami tapos nahahabol,” said Tolomia. “Basta nag-stay together lang kami as a team sa defense and kahit nag-struggle kami offensively, basta sama-sama kami, kaya naming manalo.”

Jaymo Eguilos captained Tanduay with 16 points and six rebounds, while Reden Celda got 14 markers and seven boards in the defeat.

The Scores:

PHOENIX 87 – Tolomia 21, Belo 14, Daquioag 10, Escoto 9, Jose 9, Andrada 6, Mendoza 6, Inigo 5, Pogoy 4, Tamsi 3, Colina 0.
TANDUAY 78 – Eguilos 16, Celda 14, Acuna 13, Alolino 13, Lingganay 10, Ferrer 7, Belencion 3, Gotladera 2, Javillonar 0, Mendoza 0, Santos 0, Tagarda 0.

Quarters: 32-17, 48-34, 65-56, 87-78.