Cafe France rips Wangs, wrests D-League q’final edge
Cafe France vs Wangs in the PBA D-League. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
A week after a gripping comeback win, Cafe France cruised to victory this time to stay solo on top and clinch the first quarterfinal incentive in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup.
The Bakers overpowered Wangs Basketball in the second half for a 33-point drubbing, 106-73, that stretched their unbeaten run to five games yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
“Kahit sino ang bigyan ko ng playing time, pumupukpok talaga (Everyone I fielded came out playing hard),” said Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya.
The lopsided win secured the Bakers a spot in the top four in the quarterfinals, which comes with a twice-to-beat bonus.
The Bakers—who climbed out of a 24-point hole in their 90-87 escape over Caida Tiles last Thursday—had seven players finishing in double-figures led by Mar Villahermosa (15 points) and Carl Bryan Cruz (13 points).
Tanduay Rhum, though, banked on a strong finish to carve out a 92-83 decision over AMA University Online.
Pari Llagas dropped half of his 18 points in the final quarter and Von Pessumal also came through with 16 points, highlighted by a key triple at the 1:06 mark that gave the Rhum Masters an 87-80 cushion.
“We really needed to win if we want to catch up to the top four,” coach Lawrence Chongson said of his Rhum Masters, who joined idle University of the Philippines-QRS Jam Liner at fourth spot with a 3-2 card.
Wangs skidded to 1-4, while AMA remained at the cellar with a 0-4 card.
The scores:
First Game
CAFE FRANCE 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
Second Game
TANDUAY RHUM 92—Llagas 18, Pessumal 16, Celda 13, Javillonar 9, Belencion 8, Eriobu 6, Tagarda 6, Wetherell 6, Lingganay 5, Santos 3, Cenal 1, Gotladera 1, Koga 0, Lo 1.
AMA UNIVERSITY 83—King 18, Jamito 14, McCarthy 13, Tampus 13, De Leon 8, Mendoza 6, Arambulo 6, Castro 3, Alberto 2, Duncil 2, Carpio 0, Carriaga 0, Dela Cruz 0, Hernandez 0.
Quarters: 20-21, 42-36, 63-56, 92-83
