Phoenix-FEU rallies in second half to end Tanduay's run

PBA

By Ivan Saldajeno

SAN JUAN, MM--Phoenix-FEU erased a first half deficit to put a halt to Tanduay's rage with an 85-80 win in the main game of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup doubleheader at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Monday.

Down, 37-46, entering the break, the Accelerators outscored the Rhum Masters, 25-15, in the third quarter to take a 62-61 lead.

Phoenix-FEU threatened to pull away early in the fourth after going on an 8-0 run to open a 70-63 gap.

Tanduay answered with a 12-0 rally to retake the lead, 75-70, with 5:06 left in the game.

RR Pogoy and Mike Tolomia then joined forces in a 7-0 Accelerators blast to reclaim the advantage, 77-75, with 3:43 remaining.

Rudy Lingganay tied the match one last time with two free throws off a Mac Belo foul with 2:57 on the clock, but Phoenix-FEU scored six straight points, the last on a booming triple from Pogoy that sealed the team's win.

Pogoy had 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Tolomia added 14 points, two rebounds, and nine assists for the Accelerators, who clinched the third twice-to-beat spot in the quarterfinals.

Reden Celda tallied 13 markers, four boards, three dimes, and one steal for the Rhum Masters, who had their five-game winning streak snapped and must now hope that the UP-QRS-JAM Fighting Maroons will lose to the AMA Titans, who lost earlier Monday to the league-leading Cafe France-CEU Bakers, on Thursday to lock in the last playoff bonus.

Box Scores:

Phoenix-FEU 85-Pogoy 21, Belo 14, Tolomia 14, Jose 12, Tamsi 9, Ru. Escoto 8, Inigo 5, Ri. Escoto 2, Andrada 0, Mendoza 0

Tanduay 80-Celda 13, Acuna 11, Lingganay 11, Javillonar 8, Llagas 8, Wetherell 7, Belencion 6, Pessumal 6, Tagarda 4, Gotladera 3, Santos 3, Eriobu 0

Quarterscores: 18-23, 37-46, 62-61, 85-80

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