Phoenix, Cafe France blast foes

STUCK in traffic, Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya was worried over how his players prepared for the game.

They did just fine.

Unrelenting right from the start, the Bakers routed Blustar Detergent, 90-61, yesterday for their seventh win in eight games at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The duo of Rod Ebondo and Paul Zamar did most of the damage in the absence of suspended forward Carl Bryan Cruz as the Bakers roared to an early double-digit lead before cruising the rest of the way.

Ebondo recorded a double-double with 20 points, 20 rebounds, and two blocks, while Zamar added 20 points, six assists and two boards.

Later, Phoenix leaned on a stellar all-around effort from Mike Tolomia to repulse AMA Online Education, 109-70, to stay in top spot.

Tolomia posted only the third triple-double in PBA D-League history with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Accelerators regained the No. 1 spot.

Roger Pogoy sizzled with 6-of-12 shooting from three-point area to finish with 20 points, 11 of them coming in the Accelerators’ hot start. He nailed three treys as Phoenix took a 34-13 lead on its way to the big win.

“The players are getting ready for the important games,” said Phoenix coach Eric Gonzales.

The Bakers also drew strength from the debuting Jopher Custodio, who finished with 14 points and four rebounds in the win.

“We focused on our defense, controlling boards, and attacking the middle,” said Macaraya, who had to rush from San Sebastian’s NCAA game in San Juan.

The scores:
First Game
CAFE FRANCE 90—Ebondo 20, Zamar 20, Custodio 14, Parala 8, Abundo 7, Jeruta 6, Opiso 5, Arim 4, Manlangit 4, Casino 2.
BLUSTAR 61—Tiongson 17, Kuek 11, Ma 11, Liaw 6, Yim 6, Choo 4, Palma 4, Wong 2, Gan 0, Mak 0, Teo 0.
Quarters: 22-17, 42-28, 61-45, 90-61.
Second Game
PHOENIX 109—Tolomia 23, Pogoy 20, Escoto 15, Daquioag 13, Belo 11, Inigo 7, Andrada 6, Mendoza 5, Knuttel 3, Batino 2, Jamito 2, Tamsi 2, Pascual 0.
AMA 70—Martinez 15, Siruma 12, Bragais 10, McCarthy 9, Arambulo 8, Jordan 7, Taganas 7, Asuncion 2, Carpio 0, Macaranas 9, Je. Montemayor 0, Jo. Montemayor 0, Ortega 0.
Quarters: 34-13, 55-31, 78-50, 109-70.