PBA D-League: Bakers withstand Oilers’ rally

Josan Nimes of Cafe France (dark) vs Julius Wong of Derulo (light). PBA D-LEAGUE IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines – Café France held off winless Derulo Accelero 80-73 in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Monday at the JCSGO gym in Cubao.

Josan Nimes topscored with 20 points while Jens Knuttel registered 14 points – missing just two of his eight attempts from the field.

But it was Mac Montilla who provided the game-clinching basket on a baseline drive that pushed the Bakers advantage back to five, 78-73, and stopped the Oilers’ late fightback with 20.9 seconds left.

“A win is a win. The problem with my players is that everybody seemed to be pressured when we’re the favorites to win. It’s like we play better when we’re the underdogs,” said Café France head coach Egay Macaraya after his team hiked its record to 3-2.

The Bakers led by as much as 11 but the Oilers turned up their defense and were able to force turnovers that led to easy points to pull to within three, 73-76, on a tough drive by Mark Jeffries over the shot-blocking Rod Ebondo with still 1:19 left.

Jeffries, who carried much of the load for Derulo in the fourth quarter to finish with 17 points, had the opportunity to trim the lead further but his attempt was too strong.

Raul Soyud had 15 points and 10 rebounds before being sent out of the court for picking up his second technical foul late in the third period.

Nimes put the game away at the line with 13.7 ticks left after Jet Manuel misfired on a three-pointer.