PHOENIX-Far Eastern University won a title in its maiden PBA D-League campaign, edging Cafe France in overtime, 88-81, in Game Five of the Aspirants Cup final on Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Accelerators used a 7-2 run to start the extra period for an 81-76 lead and held on.
Mac Belo scored 25 points and pulled down 13 rebounds, while Mike Tolomia added 15.
Raymar Jose scored 11 and Russel Escoto added 10 as the Tamaraws claimed a second title in four months, adding the D-League crown to the UAAP Season 78 championship.
The Accelerators had a comfortable 50-39 lead in the third quarter, but Café France rallied to send the game into extra minutes.
"Ginusto nila eh. Hindi kami nag-give up," said Phoenix-FEU coach Eric Gonzales.
"Pinagusapan namin sa huddle, pagod na sila at pagod na kami. Ngayon pa ba kami bibitaw? Sabi nila, 'Laban lang kami.'"
"Yun ang tinuturo namin sa kanila, na bawal mag-give up. Sanay lahat sila sa bakbakan at lahat ito, blessing ni God yan," he added.
Paul Zamar scored 20 points for Cafe France, while Rodrigue Ebondo and Joseph Manlangit added 14 markers each. Samboy de Leon chipped in 11 points and Jess Villahermosa had 10.
The scores:
Phoenix-FEU 88 - Belo 25, Tolomia 15, Jose 11, Ru. Escoto 10, Pogoy 9, Tamsi 8, Andrada 4, Mendoza 3, Daquioag 2, Ri. Escoto 1, Iñigo 0.
Cafe France 81 - Zamar 20, Ebondo 14, Manlangit 14, De Leon 11, Villahermosa 10, Abundo 4, Cruz 4, Jeruta 4, Arim 0, Casino 0.
Quarterscores: 14-13; 32-38; 56-62; 74-74; 88-81.
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