PBA D-League: CafeFrance racks up 5th straight win, clinches top four

Joseph Manlangit vs Wangs defender. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

CafeFrance once again showcased its depth in battering Wangs Basketball, 106-73, Tuesday to stay at the top of the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at San Juan Arena.

The win, which was the Bakers’ fifth in as many games, secures them a top four spot which comes with a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

“Malaking tulong sa mga bata ito because they got the boost in motivation, may kumpyansa sila and na-prove nila na their hard work is finally paying off,” said coach Egay Macaraya. “Kahit sino ang bigyan ko ng playing time, pumupukpok talaga.”

Mar Villahermosa led the charge for CafeFrance with 15 points, while Carl Bryan Cruz added 13 markers and eight rebounds.

Rod Ebondo chimed in 12 points, nine boards, and four assists, while Joseph Manlangit also had 12 off the bench.

Guards JK Casino and Mon Abundo got 11 markers apiece, and Samboy de Leon fired 10 in the decisive victory.

The Bakers broke off with a 13-0 blast abridging the second and third frames, taking a 49-37 lead en route to the 33-point final spread.

Despite the assured finish at the top half of the standings, Macaraya still kept his wards on its toes as CafeFrance looks to continue its winning ways in its last three games.

Mark Romero topped Wangs, which suffered its third straight defeat and fell to 1-4, with 18 points.

The Scores:

CAFEFRANCE 106 – Villahermosa 15, Cruz 13, Ebondo 12, Manlangit 12, Abundo 11, Casino 11, De Leon 10, Opiso 9, Arim 6, Jeruta 4, Zamar 3, Anunciacion 0, Celso 0.
WANGS BASKETBALL 73 – Romero 18, Acosta 13, Mangahas 11, Publico 8, Bautista 6, Tumalip 6, Ilad 3, Munsayac 3, Cabahug 2, Cueto 2, Banal 1, Je. Montemayor 0, Jo. Montemayor 0.

Quarters: 22-12, 44-37, 70-54, 106-73.