PAUL Zamar of Cebuana Lhuillier looks for an open teammate as Cagayan’s Eric Salamat applies pressure in yesterday’s game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Cafe France hit a barrage of triples in the second half to clip Jumbo Plastic, 66-61, and grab a share of the lead in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Cagayan Valley also joined Cafe France and idle Hapee on top at 3-0 by hacking out a 79-76 victory over Cebuana Lhuillier.
More than half of Cafe France’s total output came from beyond the arc as the Bakers posted 13 triples, including five straight in the third period where they outscored the Giants, 21-8.
Rodrigue Ebondo, the Bakers’ Congolese center, fired 12 of his 16 points from three-point range, on top of 13 rebounds and three blocks.
The Rising Suns leaned on Abel Galliguez and Don Trollano, who combined for 43 points to fuel Cagayan’s comeback from early double-digit deficits against a Gems side that had Kevin Ferrer, Almond Vosotros and Norbert Torres catching fire at the start.
“The win gives the team more confidence now that Moala is coming,” said Galliguez as the Rising Suns stayed unbeaten even without top rookie pick Moala Tautuaa, the 6-foot-7 Filipino-Tongan who is expected to arrive soon.
Earlier, newcomer Bread Story upset Tanduay Light, 69-64, to break into the win column.
The scores:
First Game
BREAD STORY 69—Jalalon 15, Gamboa 8, Gabayni 8, Daquioag 8, Vigil 7, Mbomiko 6, Taladua 6, Lasa 5, Corpuz 2, Baltazar 2, Elmerjab 2, Lao 0, Bulawan 0.
TANDUAY LIGHT 64—Foronda 11, Roño 10, Cenal 7, Mandani 6, Sumang 6, Belencion 6, Ilagan 4, Ignacio 3, De Leon 3, Abrigo 2, Jumao-as 2, Banal 2, Tagarda 2.
Quarters: 20-24, 39-45, 55-52, 69-64
Second Game
CAFE FRANCE 66—Ebondo 16, Sedurifa 12, Galanza 11, Jeruta 8, Abundo 6, Cortez 4, Huertas 3, Ahanmisi 3, Habelito 2, Andrada 1, De Leon 0, Noble 0, Batino 0.
JUMBO PLASTIC 61—Eguilos 11, Sabelina 8, Magat 8, Lozada 8, Cruz 7, Heruela 7, Rios 3, King 3, Rosales 2, Maiquez 2, Villamor 2, Terso 0, Petilos 0, Javier 0.
Quarters: 13-16, 32-36, 53-44, 66-61
Third Game
CAGAYAN VALLEY 79—Galliguez 22, Trollano 21, Mabulac 12, Dilay 7, Flores 7, Melano 4, Salamat 3, Tayongtong 2, Austria 1, Mag-isa 0.
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 76—Torres 15, Ferrer 15, Vosotros 15, Villhermosa 13, A. Mangahas 9, Enciso 3, Zamar 2, Lopez 2, Guinto 2, Sison 0, Arellano 0. J. Mangahas 0, Sarangay 0.
Quarters: 12-23, 37-44, 59-60, 79-76