RAUL Soyud (left) of UP QRS-Jam Liner loses possession under pressure from Tanduay’s Rudy Lingganay. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
CAFE France got the quick finish it wanted as the Bakers coasted to a 90-72 rout of Wangs to clinch the first semifinal berth in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena.
The Bakers built gaps as wide as 27 points, 78-51, with Samboy de Leon and Carl Bryan Cruz combining for 28 points and Mon Abundo scoring 11 and dishing out seven assists.
“We really pushed hard,” coach Egay Macaraya said after his Bakers stayed on track of their back-to-back title bid.
Tanduay Rhum forged a decider in its own series as the Rhum Masters slipped past University of the Philippines-QRS/Jam Liner in a 68-66 decision.
Val Acuña knocked in the game-winning triple with 2.5 seconds left to complete the Rhum Masters’ impressive comeback from deficits as high as 21 points, 13-34.
“I have to give it to the boys—their resiliency, their instinct to survive,” coach Lawrence Chongson said of his Rhum Masters, who will try to overcome the Maroons’ twice-to-beat edge next week.
The Maroons tried to forge overtime but time had expired when Raul Soyud nailed a putback off Raymond Aguilar’s missed jumper.
The scores:
First Game
CAFEFRANCE 90—De Leon 15, Cruz 13, Abundo 11, Jeruta 10, Celso 8, Villahermosa 8, Zamar 8, Ebondo 6, Manlangit 6, Arim 2, Opiso 2, Guinitaran 1, Anunciacion 0, Casino 0.
WANGS BASKETBALL 72—Romero 12, Capacio 10, Tayongtong 8, Bautista 7, Munsayac 7, Mangahas 6, Publico 5, Acosta 4, Jo. Montemayor 4, Tumalip 4, Cabahug 3, Ragasa 2, Cueto 0, Ilad 0.
Quarters: 26-9, 51-31, 73-51, 90-72
Second Game
TANDUAY 68—Llagas 13, Javillonar 10, Acuna 9, Celda 7, Belencion 6, Lingganay 6, Santos 6, Tagarda 6, Gotladera 3, Wetherell 2, Belleza 0, Cenal 0, Eriobu 0, Pessumal 0.
UP QRS/JAM LINER 66—Aguilar 17, Batino 15, Ferrer 13, Alolino 7, Soyud 4, Desiderio 3, Villarias 3, Lim 2, Neypes 1, Sorela 1, Dario 0, Harris 0, Moralde 0, Vito 0.
Quarters: 13-26, 23-39, 52-55, 68-66