Bakers upend Accelerators, square series

CAFE France came out looking like it couldn’t wait to atone for a lackluster Game 1 outing versus Phoenix-Far Eastern University.

Racing to early double-digit leads, the Bakers kept the rallying Accelerators at bay the rest of the way behind Carl Bryan Cruz for an 86-77 triumph yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena that leveled the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Finals series at 1-1.

“We’re the ones who came out with energy and effort, while they relaxed,” said Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya.

Cruz pumped in half of his 18 points in the final quarter and grabbed nine rebounds to help the Bakers arrest the Accelerators’ comeback attempts in the last seven minutes.

“I have really good teammates, they didn’t let up on defense,” said Cruz, whose five straight points inside the last 83 seconds gave the Bakers enough buffer after the Accelerators came within four, 81-77.

Paul Zamar also dropped 13 points, 10 in the third quarter where the Bakers erected a 21-point spread, 69-48.

Game 2 saw a complete reversal of the series opener last Thursday when the Accelerators built a 20-point cushion before foiling the Bakers’ rally, 81-77.

“We learned a lot from that loss,” said Macaraya.

Game 3 of the best-of-five duel is set tomorrow at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The scores:
CAFE FRANCE 86— Cruz 18, Zamar 13, Jeruta 12, Ebondo 11, Abundo 10, De Leon 8, Manlangit 7, Opiso 4, Villahermosa 3, Casiño 0, Celso 0.
PHOENIX-FEU 77—Belo 22, Daquioag 16, Pogoy 10, Tamsi 9, Tolomia 6, Escoto Ru. 5, Iñigo 5, Andrada 4, Escoto Ri. 0, Mendoza 0, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 20-23, 49-34, 69-51, 86-77