CAFE France’s guards sparked a strong start as the Bakers trounced Jumbo Plastic, 83-72, Monday to clinch the second outright semifinal berth in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena.
Eloy Poligrates shot 16 points and Maverick Ahanmisi fired 14 to lead the Bakers to the easy victory that secured them the No. 2 spot with a 7-2 record.
Hapee, though, spoiled Cebuana Lhuillier’s perfect run with a nail-biting 71-70 escape in the second game.
Baser Amer buried a floater with 20.1 seconds left to seal the upset that also gave the Fresh Fighters a strong shot at nailing a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
“For us, it’s a question of will to survive,” coach Ronnie Magsanoc said of his Fresh Fighters, who looked out of sorts early in the tournament after losing three of their first five games.
“I’m just glad they showed their character against the best team in the league right now.”
The Fresh Fighters, who streaked to their third straight win, climbed to a share of third place with idle Cagayan Valley at 5-3.
Although the Gems’ unbeaten run came to an end at seven, they still hold the top spot heading into the Final Four.
Amer finished with 18 points and Troy Rosario added 15 for the Fresh Fighters, who came through despite the ejection of big man Ola Adeogun with still 5:26 left.
The Gems—who rallied from 19 points down, 21-40—still had a chance to steal the game but fumbled their last possession.
Bong Galanza and Samboy de Leon added 13 points each for the Bakers.
The Giants (3-4) blew their chance to gain the twice-to-beat bonus.
The scores:
First Game
CAFE FRANCE 83—Poligrates 16, Ahanmisi 14, Galanza 13, De Leon 13, Sedurifa 7, Ebondo 6, Batino 5, Jeruta 3, Andrada 3, Cortez 3, Miranda 0, Abundo 0.
JUMBO PLASTIC 72—Paniamogan 21, Khobuntin 14, Sanga Paul 12, Tiongson 7, Eguillos 4, Perez 4, Villamor 4, Mandani 4, Arellano 2, Purdy 0, Almario 0, Avillanoza 0.
Quarters: 19-11, 41-27, 60-39, 83-72
Second Game
HAPEE 71—Amer 18, Rosario 15, Parks 12, Dela Cruz 8, Adeogun 6, Thompson 5, Elorde 2, Long 0, Villahermosa 0, Romero 0, Koga 0.
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 70—Mangahas 17, Tautuaa 15, Cabrera 9, Vosotros 9, Corpuz 7, Torres 5, Enciso 4, Zamar 4, Bautista 0, Sarangay 0, Van Opstal 0.
Quarters: 18-14, 42-30, 55-52, 71-70