CafeFrance makes final step to win D-League title

It’s been a long time coming for CafeFrance.
One of the only two founding D-League members remaining, coach Egay Macaraya always took note of the team’s achievements.
It finished at the top four at the end of the eliminations, snared a twice-to-beat advantage, made its first Finals appearance, and forced the first ever Game 3 in D-League Finals history. Macaraya knew that every step along the way was another bar set by the Bakers for their future campaigns.
“Records have always been broken. Miracles happen every day,” he said.
On Thursday, CafeFrance set the highest bar it could possibly hurdle and in the process went on to win the 2015 PBA D-League Foundation Cup championship.
And it’s no surprise that the man who made this conquest possible didn’t have any doubt that the Bakers could top every milestone it accomplished in the past.
“At the start of the conference, I told this team that we can achieve our goal, which is the championship. I knew it was possible, but I still didn’t expect that,” said Macaraya. “But our players right now have the heart and they made sacrifices for the team and this is what happened. They all deserve this.”
“We have the right ingredients, the right players, and I told them that this team will work wonders and I know we’re going to be the champions this conference because of the heart, the sacrifice, and the grace of God.”
Team owner Johnny Yap was also a believer in Macaraya’s sense of taking things one step at a time.
“We told them if we get to the semis, we’re happy. To get to the championship, we’re already happy, and now this. It’s very satisfying that we formed a team with these players who were here since day one. They stayed on and gave their best,” he said. “We’re very, very happy. Hopefully, this will continue.”
Macaraya echoed the sentiment, but rather, enjoyed the moment first as he sees the title win as a validation for all the hard work the Bakers put to avoid being another fringe playoff team.
“For everything the Bakers worked hard for, the journey is worth it,” he said. AU