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ROD EBONDO posted a huge double-double as Cafe France held off Racal’s late rally, 78-72, Tuesday to claim solo second in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
“Our boys played well and [Racal] cannot stop Ebondo,” Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya after his Bakers improved to a 5-1 record, behind Phoenix’s perfect 5-0.
The Tile Masters found no match for Ebondo as the Congolese center dominated the paint to finish with 22 points.
Mon Abundo also fired 16 points for the Bakers, while Carl Bryan Cruz scored 13 before getting ejected for elbowing Dexter Maiquez with 5:41 minutes left in the third quarter.
The Tile Masters, though, refused to bow out without a fight as they nearly wiped out the Bakers’ 10-point advantage, 75-65, in the final 1:41 minutes.
A Chris Javier jumper pushed the Tile Masters within three, 75-72, with 55 seconds left, prompting the Bakers to call two consecutive timeouts.
Parala’s clutch jumper
But the final huddle turned out to be just what the Bakers needed as Mike Parala knocked in a clutch jumper to cushion their lead, 77-72, with 18.3 ticks left.
The Tile Masters slipped to third with a 4-2 record.
Macaraya also credited his wards for their tough defense against the Tile Masters, whom they held to more than 25 points below their average production of 99.8 points per game.
“Racal is a very good offensive team,” said Macaraya. “But the boys played good defense.”
Jonathan Grey paced the Tile Masters with 12 points, while Philip Paniamogan chipped in 11 points.
The scores:
CAFE FRANCE 78—Ebondo 22, Abundo 16, Cruz 13, Jeruta 5, Manlangit 5, Opiso 4, Parala 4, Zamar 4, Arim 3, Villahermosa 2, Casino 0.
RACAL 72—Grey 12, Paniamogan 11, Javier 10, Maiquez 9, Terso 9, Celiz 5, Banal 4, Gabawan 4, Ortuoste 3, Robles 3, Ruaya 2, Corpuz 0, Neypes 0.
Quarters: 20-15, 38-31, 58-56, 78-72