Phoenix trips AMA, seizes D-L lead

MANILA, Philippines - Phoenix took charge early then fended off AMA Online Education’s repeated rallies down the stretch to carve out a 97-89 victory and wrest the solo lead with three straight wins in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at JCSGO Gym in Cubao yesterday.

Mike Tolomia pumped in 27 points while Ed Daquioag and Alfrancis Tamsi backed him up with 18 and 16 markers, respectively, as the Accelerators bucked the absence of injured starters Mac Belo and Roger Pogoy to keep their unbeaten run.

Without Belo and Pogoy, both nursing hamstring injuries, Tolomia stepped up early and fired 14 of his output in the first period as Phoenix stormed to a 26-13 lead. With their defense holding, the Accelerators poured in points off turnovers, posting leads of as many as 70-47 in the third.

The Titans, however, struck back in the fourth, threatening to within, 89-95, on a pair of Gene Belleza charities with 53.3 seconds to play.

But Alfred Batino nailed two free throws to secure the victory for the Accelerators, who got past the Café France Bakers to regain the solo lead.

Ryan Arambulo came away with 18 points for AMA, who absorbed its third straight defeat.

Jaycee Asuncion and Rey Publico also shot 17 markers apiece, while Jay-R Taganas marked his D-League return with a double-double of 14 points, 21 rebounds, and five assists for the Titans.

In the second game, Tanduay ripped Blustar Detergent, backstopped by a Malaysian crew, 94-71.

?The Rhum Masters went on a 23-3 start to blow the Dragons away and take a lead as big as 36, 85-49, en route to a wire-to-wire victory.