New recruits Michael Calisaan and Paul Desiderio immediately made an impact, towing Cafe France to an 83-67 victory over Tanduay in the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Monday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Ushering in the new era for the Bakers, the two teamed up to establish a lead as high as 26, 61-35, in the third period, and quashed the Rhum Masters’ fightback in the fourth quarter with a telling 16-6 finishing kick.
Calisaan silently racked up 23 points and seven rebounds, while Desiderio fired seven of his 16 markers in the last eight minutes of the game, on top of his six boards.
“My recruits stepped up and that’s the positive for us. Hopefully, that continues and everybody starts jelling,” said coach Egay Macaraya. “If that happens, it will be a good season for us.”
Banking on its full court press, Tanduay would cut the deficit to as low as six, 67-61, after a pair of freebies from Bong Quinto, but Desiderio took over and secured the victory for Cafe France.
Congolese big man Rod Ebondo also had seven of his 15 points in the fourth and had 12 rebounds.
Bong Quinto paced Tanduay in the loss with 12 points and five rebounds before fouling out late, while Mark Cruz, Raphy Reyes, and Paul Sanga all wound up with 11 markers.
The Scores:
CAFE FRANCE 83 – Calisaan 23, Desiderio 16, Ebondo 15, Casino 9, Gabriel 4, Jeruta 4, Arim 3, Faundo 3, Manlangit 3, Wamar 3, Aquino 0, Guinitaran 0, Veron 0.
TANDUAY 67 – Quinto 12, Cruz 11, Reyes 11, Sanga 11, Eguilos 6, Moralde 6, Santos 4, Cenal 2, Ibay 2, Sollano 2, Palma 0.
Quarters: 21-28, 43-30, 65-53, 83-67.