MANILA, Philippines—Cafe France came out with all guns blazing in the second half to bring down Pacific Pipes, 75-68, and barge into the win column in the Cebuana Lhuillier-Pera Padala Invitational basketball championship at the Ynares Center in Pasig.
Hardly bothered by its 46-81 loss to Cebuana Lhuillier on opening day Thursday, Café France went to Jeff Montilla and Marvin Dumapig to frustrate Pacific Pipes and clinch its first win in two matches in this short, four-team tournament hosted by Cebuana Lhuillier owner Jean Henri Lhuillier as part of the buildup for the coming PBA Developmental League next week.
Montilla finished with 18 points, while Dumapig added 15 points to lead Café France, which is hoping to make an impact with a lineup built around Centro Escolar University players.
Café France team manager Bernard Yang was obviously satisfied with the victory, which came after a blowout loss to Cebuana Lhuillier.
“Our main objective in joining this tournament is to give our players enough exposure before the start of the D-League,” said Yang. “Right now, they are showing a lot of potential.”