Bakers force winner-take-all Game 5

CAFE France’s Bryan Cruz and Jason Opiso challenge a driving Roger Pogoy of Phoenix-FEU in yesterday’s Game 4. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

PAUL Zamar came to Cafe France’s rescue as the Bakers stopped a rallying Phoenix-Far Eastern University, 100-94, yesterday to forge a winner-take-all championship in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Married just four days earlier, Zamar kept his focus as the veteran guard poured in 25 points, including five straight that gave the Bakers breathing room, 94-88, with a minute to go after the Accelerators had pulled within a point, 88-89.

“We have to be professional in what we do,” said Zamar after the Bakers leveled the best-of-five series at 2-2. “We just wanted to bounce back badly.”

Rod Ebondo, who posted a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds, also buried a couple of buffer baskets in the closing seconds that helped the Bakers arrest the Accelerators’ blistering run from 14 points down.

“Paul played superb,” said Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya. “[The players] showed character, especially my three guards. Even if they’re smaller, they go for the rebound. They wanted to win this game.”

The do-or-die Game 5 is set at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Working behind Zamar, Ebondo and Carl Bryan Cruz, the Bakers looked like they would coast through the rest of the match after building a whopping 82-68 advantage, with six minutes left to play.

But Mac Belo, named as this conference’s MVP, exploded in the final quarter, firing 17 of his 24 points.

“We thought the game was in our hands, but the breaks of the game didn’t go our way [late in the game],” said Zamar.

The Accelerators went on an 18-4 tear, the last six coming from Belo, that turned a 68-82 deficit into a tied contest, 86-86, with 3:30 left.

After wresting the lead again at 89-88, the Bakers closed out strong as Zamar nailed two free throws and a three-point play for a 94-88 edge.

The scores:

CAFE FRANCE 100—Zamar 25, Ebondo 18, Cruz 17, De Leon 15, Abundo 8, Jeruta 8, Casiño 3, Villahermosa 3, Manlangit 2, Opiso 1, Arim 0.

PHOENIX-FEU 94—Tolomia 29, Belo 24, Pogoy 14, Daquioag 9, Jose 6, Iñigo 3, Mendoza 3, Andrada 2, Escoto Ri. 2, Escoto Ru. 2, Tamsi 0.

Quarters: 21-21, 47-44, 75-64, 100-94