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Cafe France returned the favor and clipped Phoenix-FEU in Game 2, 86-77, to level the best-of-5 Finals series of the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup to one game apiece Tuesday at San Juan Arena.
Carl Bryan Cruz rebounded from his poor Game 1 showing and poured nine of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Bakers.
Paul Zamar showed signs of recovery from a shoulder injury, uncorking 13 markers while Aaron Jeruta got 12 points, and Congolese big man Rod Ebondo had 11 markers and 20 boards for reigning Foundation Cup champion Cafe France.
Learning from its Game 1 miscues, Cafe France started strong and took a 21-point lead numerous times in the third period. However, it had to play the rest of the fourth without Samboy de Leon, who was ejected with 29.6 ticks left in the frame.
The Accelerators were the ones who needed to stage a fightback, pulling to within four, 81-77, with 1:41 remaining courtesy of a Yutien Andrada undergoal stab. But Cruz racked up five straight points to douse the rally in the last two minutes.
“Kami naman yung may energy and effort at sila naman yung nag-relax,” said coach Egay Macaraya, whose squad dropped the Finals opener, 82-78.
Mac Belo topscored for Phoenix-FEU with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Ed Daquioag had 16 markers and four boards.
The scores:
CAFE FRANCE 86 – Cruz 18, Zamar 13, Jeruta 12, Ebondo 11, Abundo 19, De Leon 8, Manlangit 7, Opiso 4, Villahermosa 3, Casino 0, Celso 0.
PHOENIX-FEU 77 – Belo 22, Daquioag 16, Pogoy 10, Tamsi 9, Tolomia 6, Ru. Escoto 5, Inigo 5, Andrada 4, Ri. Escoto 0, Mendoza 0, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 20-23, 49-34, 69-51, 86-77.