MANILA, Philippines – Cafe France carved out an emphatic 92-63 victory over Arellano-Air21 to keep its quarterfinal hopes alive in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Monday at JCSGO Gym.
Rod Ebondo starred with 18 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in the lopsided victory that lifted the Bakers to solo sixth at 8-5 at least for a day.
In other games, Big Chill nipped Boracay Rum, 94-91, for its 11th victory, while National University-Banco de Oro picked up a second straight win with a 94-68 rout of Zambales M-Builders.
Cafe France will only advance to the quarterfinals if Blackwater Sports loses to Cebuana Lhuillier in the 12 noon match on the penultimate day of the eliminations Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Arena.
A win gives Blackwater a tie with Cafe France with the Elite grabbing the last quarterfinal berth over the Bakers due to a superior quotient.
“All we can do now is sit and wait,” said Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya. “Our fortune is not in our hands. But in case a miracle happens, we’re ready for the next round.”
Mark Parale had 15 points and Ryan Gallardo added 10 points and eight assists for the Bakers, who overwhelmed the Chiefs off the boards, 54-32.
Even if the Bakers fail to make it to the next round, Macaraya said he will be satisfied.
“It’s a big improvement from last conference,” he said. “It only goes to show that our goal to develop new players is a success.”
Reil Cervantes paced the Superchargers with 28 points and burly guard Brian Heruela also came up big with 10 points, including the go-ahead basket, 93-91, with 29.1 seconds left, on top of 10 assists, five rebounds and three steals.
Troy Rosario posted a double-double of 23 points and 17 rebounds to power the Bulldogs to their fourth win in 12 games.
The scores:
First Game
CAFE FRANCE 92—Ebondo 18, Parale 15, Gallardo 10, Montilla 9, De Leon 8, Nimes 7, Batino 6, Cortes 5, Abundo 4, Banua 2, Celso 2, Mutombo 2, Opiso 2, Sarangay 2.
AU-AIR21 63—Webb 14, Acidre 14, Tayongtong 10, Arquero 9, Nuilan 6, Fran 5, Rogado 3, Palma 2, Yaya 0, Ciriacruz 0.
Quarters: 26-18, 50-36, 72-48, 92-63
Second Game
BIG CHILL 94—Cervantes 28, Apinan 12, Heruela 10, Villahermosa 10, Mirza 8, Lozada 8, Maiquez 7, Baloria 6, Canlas 3, Brondial 2, Santos 0.
BORACAY RUM 91—Belo 20, Banchero 17, Taha 12, Cabrera 10, Bautista 7, Ilagan 7, Viernes 6, Arellano 4, Tagarda 4, Sabellina 2, Eguilos 1, Rosopa 1.
Quarters: 29-20, 52-44, 69-68, 94-91
Third Game
NU-BDO 94—Rosario 23, Parks 15, Khobuntin 14, Labing-isa 13, Alolino 12, De Guzman 6, Neypes 6, Roño 5, Javelona 0, Perez 0, Villamor 0, Celda 0.
M-BUILDERS 68—Tolomia 27, Alabanza 20, Cruz 12, Saret 7, Wong 2, Ignacio 0, Vidal 0.
Quarters: 23-15, 51-29, 79-47, 94-68