PBA D-League: Bakers eye quarterfinal vs Air21

MANILA, Philippines — Cafe France takes another shot at a quarterfinal slot when it battles Air-21-Arellano Monday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.

The Bakers try to salvage the must-win game at 10 a.m. just four days after missing a chance to advance to the next round and boot out last conference’s champion Blackwater Sports with an overtime loss, 82-87.

“I just hope my boys could recover after that sorry loss,” Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya said of his crew, who blew a six-point cushion in the final minute of regulation before the Elite outlasted them in the extension.

The loss put the Bakers in danger of an early exit as the Elite will advance due to a superior quotient if both teams end up tied at the end of the eliminations.

“Everything is possible, but we have to do our job first,” said Macaraya.

Big Chill, meanwhile, battles Boracay Rum at 12 noon.

Although the Bakers still have a shot at the quarterfinals, they must win today’s game and hope that the Elite lose to Cebuana Lhuillier Tuesday. Unfortunately for the Bakers, the tiebreak rule in two other scenarios won’t work in their favor.

The league will apply the quotient system if teams finish with similar eliminations records.