PBA D-League: Bakers keep Parks-less Bulldogs winless

MANILA, Philippines — Café France came out strong in the second half to beat an undermanned National University-Banco de Oro side, 74-69, in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Tuesday at the Blue Eagle gym.

Former Mapua standout Josan Nimes played hurt and still wound up with game-high 19 points as the Bakers bounced back from an 87-94 loss to Big Chill last week to improve its win-loss mark to 4-3.

“Josan (Nimes) is an integral part of our offense so hopefully he will stay healthy until the remainder of our campaign. He’s still hurting and I’m just glad he was able to play long minutes and give us a lift,” said Café France head coach Egay Macaraya of his shooting guard suffering from a hurting back.

Guard Mac Montilla also provided key production at the offensive end for Café France with 10 points.

“This is a big win for us. It kept us close behind the leaders and somehow keep us in contention for the playoffs. Hopefully we could build on this,” said Macaraya, whose squad is currently in seventh place.

The Bakers broke loose from 56-all, the fourth and last deadlock of the game, to lead by nine points with Nimes hitting five unanswered points.

Joshua Alolino had 13 points, four assists and two steals for the Bulldogs, who played minus two-time UAAP MVP Ray Parks. Parks sat the game out due to back spasms.

Things were going well for NU-BDO, which remained as the only winless team at 0-6 in the conference, even without Parks as it led, 41-33, early in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs though, failed to sustain their play through four quarters as the Bakers took advantage.