Carl Bryan Cruz leads Cafe France. PBA IMAGES
As Cafe France faced the same team that beat them in the Finals last conference, Carl Bryan Cruz said the Bakers have moved on from the pain of that defeat.
“Wala ng hinanakit. Gusto ni coach Egay (Macaraya), mag-move on na sa mga nangyari last conference,” he said.
But Cruz didn’t look like someone who has moved on from that sorry setback in the Finals.
He took charge for the Bakers late, pouring nine of his 15 points in the overtime period to help his squad score a 96-93 win over the Accelerators on Thursday.
Cruz made it clear that his great showing is drawn from Cafe France’s intention to snare the top spot.
“Sabi sa amin ni coach Egay, dito malalaman yung magna-number one. Good thing na nanalo kami at di kami gumive up,” he said, as the Bakers now sit at the top of the standings with a 7-1 record.
Cruz also said he had been aching to go back to action after serving a one-game suspension against Blustar Detergent a week back.
“Nanggigil talaga ako. Buti na lang maganda ang ipinakita ko nung huli,” he said.
Cafe France now shifts its focus on Monday against Tanduay, the only team to beat the Bakers this conference.
Cruz didn’t want to say that the game will definitely be an indication that his team are the title favorites but instead as something the Bakers need to strengthen their hold of the top spot.
“Basta one game at a time lang sa kung sino ang kalaban namin. Ang goal naman namin is makabalik ng Finals,” he said.