Bakers off to fiery D-League start; Rhum Makers survive

TANDUAY guard Gelo Alolino aborts a drive to make a pass off Jeff Montemayor of AMA in yesterday’s game at Ynares Sports Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

CAFE France got a big win to kick off its campaign, but coach Egay Macaraya hopes there’s more in store for his Bakers in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup.

“The only thing I told the boys is to improve every game and we’ll see from there,” said Macaraya, after his Bakers ripped Topstar ZC Mindanao, 89-64, yesterday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Carl Bryan Cruz pumped in 21 points and Paul Zamar added 17 on top of five assists as the duo helped keep the Bakers out front the rest of the way. Cafe France ran out of the gates with a 20-6 tear.

Tanduay, though, got tested on opening day as the Rhum Masters held on to a 72-66 decision over AMA Online Education in the second game.

“The character of the team— that’s what we need to focus on,” Tanduay coach Lawrence Chongson said after his Rhum Masters nearly blew their 20-point buffer, 62-42, early in the fourth quarter.

“There’s a tendency for the players to relax.”

Rudy Lingganay and Jaypee Belencion teamed up for 22 points to lead the Rhum Masters, who overcame the Titans’ late run behind Jaycee Asuncion and Gene Belleza.

The Bakers also had a slight slip in the third quarter, where the Aguilas sliced their double-digit advantage to just six points, 45-39.

But Cruz and Zamar got things back in order for the Bakers and widened the gap anew with leads as many as 28 points, 86-58.

“They have to understand that they have to overcome those obstacles,” Macaraya said of the Bakers, whose back-to-back title bid was foiled by Phoenix last conference.

“I just let them feel and understand that they can do it. Sometimes, they have to learn to compose themselves and not rely on the coaches.”

The scores:
First Game
CAFE FRANCE 89—Cruz 21, Zamar 17, De Leon 12, Ebondo 11, Opiso 7, Abundo 6, Casiño 6, Villahermosa 6, Jeruta 2, Manlangit 1, Arim 0, Cortez 0.
TOPSTAR ZC MINDANAO 64—Garcia 11, Jumao-as 11, Argamino 9, Cabrera 9, Cawaling 8, Ignacio 6, Sarangay 6, Ongteco 4, Acosta 0, Dadjilul 0, Rivera 0, Rono 0, Tano 0.
Quarters: 20-9, 43-24, 59-43, 89-64
Second Game
TANDUAY 72—Lingganay 12, Belencion 10, Celda 8, Javillonar 7, Mendoza 7, Santos 7, Vigil 6, Alolino 4, Tagarda 4, Acibar 3, Acuna 2, Gotladera 2, Cenal 0, Stevens 0.
AMA ONLINE 66—Asuncion 18, Belleza 18, Publico 8, Bragais 5, Jordan 5, Jo. Montemayor 4, Ragasa 4, Arambulo 2, Je. Montemayor 2, Calma 0, Dizon 0, Macaranas 0, Magpantay 0, Olivares 0.
Quarters: 13-15, 33-29, 62-42, 72-66