Cafe France grabbed a piece of the top spot after bursting Blustar’s bubble with a 98-83 victory in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Tuesday at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
Despite a better performance from the Dragons, the defending Foundation Cup champions were just too much, leading as high as 25, 85-60, before Blustar trimmed the lead down to just 15 in the end.
“Maybe yung first game nila is just because of the opening jitters. It’s their first feel of basketball dito sa Pilipinas,” said Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya, referring to Blustar’s 94-71 defeat to Tanduay on Monday.
What worried Macaraya most was the Dragons’ frontcourt.
“Medyo agile ang bigs nila and doon kami nahihirapan everytime. Our advantage lang is our level of basketball is already higher than them.”
Carl Bryan Cruz led the Bakers with 19 points and five rebounds, while Mar Villahermosa went 4-of-8 from three to wound up with 17 markers.
Paul Zamar added 15 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Samboy de Leon got 12.
Cafe France improved to 3-0, tying Phoenix at the top of the standings.
Kuek Tian Yuan once again captained Blustar with 19 points and three rebounds, as Ma Chee Khuen had an all-around game with 15 markers, eight boards, four assists, and two steals.
The Scores:
CAFE FRANCE 98 – Cruz 19, Villahermosa 17, Zamar 15, De Leon 12, Ebondo 11, Parala 11, Jeruta 7, Arim 4, Opiso 2, Abundo 0, Casino 0, Manlangit 0.
BLUSTAR 83 – Kuek 19, Ma 15, Choo 14, Liaw 14, Ting 8, Yeo 5, Wong 4, Ong 2, Palma 2, Kamarrudin 0, Mak 0, Teo 0, Tong 0.
Quarters: 25-16, 52-37, 76-55, 98-83.