PHOENIX Petroleum-Far Eastern University eliminated Mindanao Aguilas from the quarterfinal race with a 90-80 victory on Monday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup.
Mac Belo scored 24 points, while Ed Daquioag returned from injury by finishing with 22 points for the Accelerators, who cemented their hold of third spot with a 6-2 win-loss card.
The Accelerators enter the quarterfinals with a twice-to-beat advantage but coach Eric Gonzales stressed they never considered their final elimination game lightly.
Phoenix will face sixth-seed BDO-National University, regardless of the result of the Bulldogs’ match against Caida Tiles.
“Confidence builder ito. We don’t want to enter the quarterfinals with a loss,” said Gonzales.
The Aguilas finished their maiden tournament with a 1-7 win-loss slate, tying Wangs Basketball but the Couriers are headed to the quarterfinals via the winner-over-the-other rule.
The scores:
Phoenix Petroleum-FEU 90 — Belo 24, Daquioag 22, Tolomia 14, Ru. Escoto 10, Andrada 6, Tamsi 6, Pascual 5, Inigo 3, Lee Yu 0, Ri. Escoto 0.
ZC Mindanao Aguilas 80 — Acibar 18, Garcia 16, Salamag 12, Sarangay 10, Celiz 9, Jumao-as 8, Villanueva 3, Ignacio 2, Ongteco 2, Dadjilul 0, Julkipli 0, Argamino 0.
Quarterscores: 21-19; 39-39; 60-53; 90-80.
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