BIÑAN, Laguna — Tanduay lived to fight another day with an 89-75 rout of Phoenix in Game Two of the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup finals on Tuesday at the Alonte Sports Arena.
Behind Gelo Alolino, the Rhum Masters pulled away in the fourth quarter and forced a deciding match in the process.
Alolino topscored for Tanduay with 26 points, 14 in the first half, to go with three rebounds and two assists.
Reden Celda and Jaymo Eguilos added 15 and 11 points, respectively, for the Rhum Masters.
"Most people have written us off already. Testament ito na habang humihinga may pag-asa," said Tanduay coach Lawrence Chongson, whose team will have a chance to make history in Game 3 on Thursday.
Things went downhill for the Accelerators after an Alolino triple at the 6:40 mark of the final period gave Tanduay a 67-59 cushion.
The lead even ballooned to 21, 89-68, in the dying minutes.
It also didn't help Phoenix that Mac Belo was ejected for two consecutive technical fouls with 4:49 left.
Phoenix was paced by Ed Daquioag's 18 points. Belo and RR Pogoy had 16 and 12 markers, respectively.
Game Three is on Thursday at the same venue.
The scores:
TANDUAY 89 - Alolino 26, Celda 15, Eguilos 11, Javillonar 9, Belencion 8, Ferrer 5, Lingganay 4, Mendoza 4, Javelona 3, Santos 2, Tagarda 2, Gotladera 0, Stevens 0.
PHOENIX 75 - Daquioag 18, Belo 16, Pogoy 12, Tolomia 8, Escoto 7, Tamsi 3, Andrada 2, Batino 2, Inigo 2, Knuttel 2, Mendoza 2, Jamito 1, Colina 0.
Quarterscores: 21-23, 41-38, 61-56, 89-75.
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