D-LEAGUE: CAFE FRANCE WINS BAKERS’ BATTLE; TANDUAY LIGHT SCORES
Cafe France won the Baker Derby and solidified its hold on third place in the 2015 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig Thursday.
The Bakers notched their sixth win to go up to 6-2 with an 88-74 victory over Bread Story-LPU behind the exploits of Joseph Sedurifa.
Sedurifa, the 2013 NAASCU Most Valuable Player, waxed hot early and exploded for 17 in the first quarter to finish with 32, powered by his 4-of-8 shooting from three-point region, to go with his 12 rebounds.
“He has proven himself already,” said CafeFrance coach Egay Macaraya.
Rodrigue Ebondo added 13 markers, eight boards, and three blocks, while Maverick Ahanmisi got 12 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
Macaraya rued the 25-point third quarter outburst of Bread Story which allowed the opposition to climb back and tie the game at 62 at the end of the third, after the Bakers took an early 18-point advantage, 37-19.
“Buti na lang nakarecover pa. The boys want a merry Christmas,” the coach said.
Cafe France’s starters did the damage in the fourth, firing a 16-6 run to take a comfortable 81-68 edge with 4:42 left. They also drilled in four three-pointers in the canto as they sealed the victory.
Macaraya said, “This win means we have a very good chance for getting the twice-to-beat in the quarterfinals. Hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy na.”
Joseph Gabayni led the Smashing Bakers with 19 points and six rebounds, with Mike Gamboa tallying 16.
Wilson Baltazar also added 14, as Bread Story fell to 2-5.
In the first game, Tanduay Light breathed new life in its quarterfinal aspirations as the Rhum Masters moved up to .500 with their third straight victory after a decisive 70-57 win over Racal Motors.
Aljon Mariano started the blowout, nailing 12 of his 21 points in the first quarter as the Rhum Masters jumped to an early 25-6 lead and never looked back. He also had six rebounds.
Adrian Santos also notched a double-double with his 11 markers and 11 boards in the win.
After starting 1-4, coach Lawrence Chongson finally got his boys going and placed themselves on a better position going into the Christmas break.
“We are getting the hang of it and we’re picking it up,” he said. “Personally, I want for us to continue training, but it’s our Christmas culture, we also have to take some breaks.”
Raffy Reyes tried to revive the Alibaba in the fourth with three straight treys, but Jaypee Belencion staved off that run as Tanduay improved to 4-4.
Reyes ended up with 22 points for Racal Motors, but he failed to get ample support from his teammates as they fell to 2-5.
The Scores:
First Game:
Tanduay Light 70 – Mariano 21, Santos 11, Banal 11, Belencion 10, Roño 5, Escueta 4, De Vera 3, Ilagan 2 Foronda 2, Mandani 1, Sumang 0, Ignacio 0.
Racal Motors 57 – Reyes 22, Ortuoste 4, Gil 3, Ruaya 3, Ibay 2, De Gregorio 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:
CafeFrance 88 – Sedurifa 32, Ebondo 13, Ahamnisi 12, Abundo 9, Batino 6, Galanza 5, Cortez 4, De Leon 3, Jeruta 2, Andrada 2, Huertas 0, Celso 0, Noble 0.
BreadStory-LPU 74 – Gabayni 19, Gamboa 16, Baltazar 14, Mbomiko 9, Bulawan 5, Vigil 5, Daquioag 4, Jalalon 2, Corpuz 0, Lao 0, Elmejrab 0, Bangga 0.
Quarters: 30-16, 46-37, 62-62, 88-74.
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