Phoenix goes for jugular as D-League finals return to Biñan

PBA (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

BIÑAN--Phoenix guns for the PBA D-League double as the team locks horns again with Tanduay in Game 2 of the Foundation Cup finals at the Alonte Sports Center on Tuesday.

Originally scheduled at the STRIKE Gym in Bacoor, the D-League announced on Friday the venue change of the said match back to the Biñan arena, where the opener of the best-of-three series won by the Accelerators took place last Thursday.

Phoenix can clinch its second straight D-League title following its conquest of the Aspirants Cup with a win in their 5 p.m. clash with Tanduay.

"We have to play together.... We have to be patient because I know in the end, I have to trust them," said Eric Gonzales, the Accelerators' coach.

On the other hand, the Rhum Masters, who are once again in a twice-to-beat disadvantage like in the semifinals, needs to win on Tuesday to force the rubber match on Thursday back at the Alonte hardwood.

"Tiwala ako sa mga players ko na just like sa semifinals, sa mga knockout games kami nagigising.... Pag do-or-die, yung mga larong walang bukas, doon kami umaahon," Coach Lawrence Chongson expressed confidence about his Tanduay squad, which actually needed to buck a twice-to-beat disadvantage to enter the championship round.

[Related Story: Tanduay completes twice-to-beat bust, ousts top-ranked Racal to set finals date with Phoenix]

Prior to the tip-off, the PBA D-League will announce the Foundation Cup MVP.

Phoenix's Mike Tolomia, Cafe France-CEU's Carl Cruz, and Racal's Jonathan Grey are the frontrunners for the said individual plum.

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