Cafe France subdues Cagayan Gerry’s to inch closer to finals spot

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Cafe France inched its way closer to a first ever Finals berth in the 2015 PBA D-League Foundation Cup, silencing Cagayan Gerry’s, 78-65, Monday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Rodrigue Ebondo anchored the Bakers with his 19 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks, as the Congolese big man proved to be unmatched against the Rising Suns’ bigs. CafeFrance outscored Cagayan, 46-24, in the paint.

Maverick Ahanmisi also chipped in a double-double in the win with 11 markers and 10 boards.

“We took care of the ball and that meant less turnovers which allowed us to set our defense. We were able to stop their running game and that were the keys in this game,” said coach Egay Macaraya as the Bakers now take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-3 semifinals series.

Behind the efforts of big men Ebondo and Jam Cortez, the Bakers stifled the Rising Suns’ gunners late as they struggled to find the bottom of the net, quashing hopes for any comeback bid from Cagayan Gerry’s.

Michael Mabulac led Cagayan Gerry’s with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

The Scores:

CafeFrance 78 – Ebondo 19, Ahanmisi 11, Miranda 9, De Leon 8, Noble 8, Cortez 8, Poligrates 8, Abundo 4, Batino 2, Jeruta 1, Galanza 0, Sedurifa 0, Andrada 0.
Cagayan Gerry’s 65 – Mabulac 15, Melano 14, Galliguez 10, Celada 8, Austria 6, Tayongtong 6, Trollano 3, Flores 2, Dilay 1, Salamat 0, Santos 0, Magat 0.

Quarters: 15-16, 43-33, 60-51, 78-65.