PAUL Zamar took over in the fourth quarter, lifting CafeFrance to a 100-94 win over Phoenix Petroleum-Far Eastern University on Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan to force a rubber match for the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup title.
Playing inspired basketball following his wedding over the weekend, Zamar scored five points including a three-point play with 1:06 left in the fourth to put the Bakers ahead, 94-88, saving his team from another endgame collapse.
Zamar finished with 25 points.
Game Five is set on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“Paul played super basketball today,” sad CafeFrance coach Egay Macaraya.
“Mas maganda siguro ’yung magpapakasal ka kasi gumaganda laro mo,” he added in jest.
CafeFrance looked set for another meltdown, squandering an 82-68 lead. Phoenix was able to tie the match at 86 and was only down, 89-88, in the final moments.
“They showed character. They really want to win this game,” said Macaraya.
Rodrigue Ebondo had 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Carl Bryan Cruz bounced back from his struggles in Game Three with a 17-point effort.
Mike Tolomia had 29 points while Mac Belo, named Aspirants Cup Most Valuable Player before Game Four, scored 24 points and pulled down 15 rebounds for the Accelerators.
The scores:
CafeFrance 100 — Zamar 25, Ebondo 18, Cruz 17, De Leon 15, Abundo 8, Jeruta 8, Casino 3, Villahermosa 3, Manlangit 2, Opiso 1, Celso 0, Arim 0.
Phoenix-FEU 94 — Tolomia 29, Belo 24, Pogoy 14, Daquioag 9, Jose 6, Inigo 3, Mendoza 3, Andrada 2, Ru. Escoto 2, Ri. Escoto 2, Tamsi 0.
Quarterscores: 21-21; 47-44; 75-64; 100-94.
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