Cafe France, Tanduay whip D-League rivals

JOSEPH Sedurifa posted double-double figures as Cafe France fended off a huge comeback by Bread Story-LPU to prevail, 88-74, yesterday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Sedurifa, a 6-foot-2 guard and MVP of the 2013 Naascu season, had a game-high 32 points and 12 rebounds for the Bakers, who came out firing right from the start and kept their composure even when the Pirates attempted to gain control in the third quarter.

Rodrigue Ebondo contributed 13 points and Maverick Ahanmisi added 12 as the Bakers raised their record to six victories and two losses.

“We badly needed this win before the (Christmas) break. This victory will enhance our chance for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals,” said Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya.

Sedurifa was spectacularly explosive in the first quarter with 17 points that lifted Cafe France to a 30-16 advantage.

“We normally use him for his defensive prowess, his offense is just a bonus for us,” said Macaraya.

Anglo Gabayni had 19 points for Bread Story, which absorbed a fifth defeat in seven games.

In the other game, Aljon Mariano tallied 21 points as Tanduay Light sustained a strong start for a 70-57 demolition of Racal Motors.

Mariano went three of six from the field and was a perfect 5 of 5 from free-throw line for Tanduay, which took a commanding 20-6 lead after the first quarter.

“This win is big for us. If we get lucky, we might get into the Top 4 as well,” said Tanduay Light coach Lawrence Chongson after notching a third straight victory, their fourth in eight games.   “Our next two games will be very important, so we have to improve.”

The top two teams after the single-round eliminations earn automatic berths in the semifinal while the next four teams advance to the quarterfinal round with the third- and fourth-ranked teams enjoying a twice-to-beat edge.

The scores:
First Game
TANDUAY LIGHT 70—Mariano 21, Santos 11, Banal 11, Belencion 10, Rono 5, Escueta 4, De Vera 3, Ilagan 2, Foronda 2, Mandani 1, Ignacio 0, Sumang 0, Tagarda 0.
RACAL MOTORS 57—Reyes 22, Jamito 16, Ortuoste 4, Gil 3, Ruaya 3, Ibay 2, DiGregorio 2, Ambuludto 2, Viernes 2, Gabawan 1, Mercader 0, Canta 0, Saitanan 0, Publico 0.
Quarters: 20-6, 34-23, 57-34, 70-57
Second Game
CAFE FRANCE 88—Sedurifa 32, Ebondo 13, Ahanmisi 12, Abundo 9, Batino 6, Galanza 5, Cortez 4, De Leon 3, Jeruta 2, Andrada 2, Habelito 0, Celso 0, Noble 0.
BREAD STORY 74—Gabayani 19, Gamboa 16,Baltazar 14, Mbomiko 9, Bulawan 5, Vigil 5, Daquiaog 4, Giovanni 2, Corpuz 0, Lao 0, Zamora 0, Taladua 0.
Quarters: 30-16, 46-37, 62-62, 88-74