Cafe France, Cagayan cagers turn back rivals

CAFE France and Cagayan Valley extended their winning runs by hacking out contrasting victories Monday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Bakers drew big games from Jam Cortez and Samboy de Leon to repulse AMA University, 92-75, before the Rising Suns slipped past Tanduay, 87-84.

Cortez and De Leon finished with 27 points apiece as Cafe France rolled to a fifth straight victory that put them within a game off pacesetter Cebuana Lhuillier.

Don Trollano and Michael Mabulac dished out solid games, finishing with 18 and 15 points, respectively to help the Rising Suns hold off a late charge by the Rhum Masters.

The Bakers ripped a close game open by outscoring the Titans, 23-10, in the third period.

It was the third straight for the Rising Suns, who climbed to third spot, while the Rhum Masters fell to 1-4, in a tie with Liver Marin and MP Hotel for seventh to ninth spots.

The win boosted the Bakers’ hopes of clinching an outright semifinal berth although coach Egay Macaraya believes the clash with Hapee next week will help determine their fate.

“That issue will have some clarity after our game against Hapee next week but so far, everybody is doing well,” said Macaraya.

The scores:

First Game

CAFE FRANCE 92—De Leon 27, Cortez 27, Sedurifa 12, Ebondo 9, Abundo 5, BAtino 4, Jeruta 2, Celso 2, Ahanmisi 2, Andrada 2, Galanza 0, Miranda 0, Noble 0.
AMA 75—King 18, Martinez 14, Taganas 14, Martinez 14, Maiquez 11, Camasura 6, Asuncion 6, Jordan 2, Angeles 2, Sison 0, Diswe 0, Calma 0, Rosales 0.
Quarters: 18-20, 43-38, 66-48, 92-75

Second Game

CAGAYAN VALLEY 87—Trollano 18, Mabulac 15, Celeda 13, Salamat 9, Melano 9, Galliguez 8, Dilay 5, Tayongtong 5, Rogado 2, Magat 2, Santos 1, Austria 0, Flores 0, Palma 0.
TANDUAY LIGHT 84—Sumang 25, Eriobu 9, Rosales 9, Belencion 8, Escueta 8, Mariano 7, Santos 5, Tagarda 4, Ilagan 4, Rono 3, Jumao-As 2, .
Quarters: 22-27, 45-48, 72-63, 87-84