Phoenix targets Aspirant’s Cup crown

Game today 2:45 p.m. – Awards rites 3 p.m. – Phoenix-FEU vs CafeFrance

Phoenix-FEU goes all out against CafeFrance in Game Four today, hoping to wrap it all up and avoid the specter of going through a sudden death in the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Finals at The Arena in San Juan.

The Accelerators rode on Roger Pogoy’s game-winning triple to snare an 85-84 victory in Game 3 last week, wresting a 2-1 lead in their best-offive series and moving a win from completing a finals reversal.

Phoenix-FEU coach Eric Gonzales cited his players’ heart and determination in their recent victory and exhorted his wards to finish off the Bakers in their 3 p.m. encounter or face the reigning Foundation Cup champions in a winner-take-all match.

“They just refused to give up, they really wanted to win,” said Gonzales, referring to his wards’ gritty stand in Game Three. “If we can finish them off tomorrow (today), well and good but it’s not going to be easy since they are champions.”

Despite trailing the Accelerators, CafeFrance coach Egay Macaraya remains upbeat of his wards’ chances to force a rubber match.

“Though Game 3 was a sorry loss, I don’t think my boys will just give up this series. We’ll try our best to bounce back,” said Macaraya.

Carl Bryan Cruz, who flubbed crucial charities in Game 3, is expected to rebound along with the rest of the squad although the fired-up Accelerators, led by Pogoy and MVP contenders Mac Belo and Mike Tolomia, are eager to finish off the Bakers.

Meanwhile, the conference’s top performers, including the MVP, will be feted in simple rites starting at 2:45 p.m.