Phoenix finishes strong, rips Topstar

Games Monday

2 p.m. – AMA Online Education vs Phoenix

4 p.m. – Blustar Detergent vs Tanduay

MANILA, Philippines - Phoenix went on a scoring binge in the last quarter, pouring in 33 points as it trampled Topstar ZC Mindanao, 108-78, to move on top with two straight victories in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the JCSGO gym in Cubao yesterday.

Ahead by just 10, 75-65, after three quarters, the Accelerators stepped on the gas at the onset of the fourth while clipping the Aguilas to just 13 markers with their pesky defense en route to scoring a follow-up to their 98-79 romp over the Tanduay Rhum Masters last week.

The Aguilas actually scored the first 11 points of the match and held on to a 27-22 lead at the end of the first period. But the Accelerators, with Marc Belo finding his range, outscored their rivals, 29-14, to wrest control.

Belo, the 2016 Aspirants’ Cup MVP, finished with 25 points, 18 of which coming in the first half, three rebounds and three steals.

Mike Tolomia also came up big with 22 markers, five boards, and four assists, while Ed Daquioag chipped in 16 points and five rebounds.

Roger Pogoy and Jens Knuttel both had 10 markers in the Phoenix blowout.

Choi Ignacio paced the still winless Aguilas with 14 points.

Café France joined Phoenix in the lead later as the Bakers held off the Racal Tile Masters, 83-79.

Red Ebondo fired 15 points and hauled down six rebounds but fouled out with still five minutes left in the contest.

The Tile Masters did pounce on Ebondo’s ouster and pulled to within, 76-78. But Billy Robles flubbed two free throws and Jonathan Grey turned the ball over in their ensuing possession, leading to an Aaron Jeruta basket that gave the Bakers an 80-76 lead with 47.6 seconds remaining.