D-LEAGUE: CAFE FRANCE SECURES PLACE IN TOP 4
For the first time, CafeFrance will finish its eliminations campaign in the PBA D-League among the top four.
The Bakers locked in the number three spot with a 74-68 overtime victory over AMA University Monday in the 2015 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
It was CafeFrance’s second consecutive overtime win after trumping Cebuana Lhuillier on Monday, 67-62, to clinch the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
“The good thing about this game is the character of the team. Malaking factor yung samahan ng team kasi di sila nag-give up,” said CafeFrance coach Egay Macaraya, whose wards improved to 8-2.
Rod Ebondo got a double-double with his 18 points and 10 rebounds while Maverick Ahanmisi also had a double-double with 17 markers, on a 4-of-9 shooting from three-point land, to go with his 12 boards.
With the Titans leading 62-59 in the final minute, Ahanmisi got open and drained a trey with 10.9 ticks left to force overtime at 62-all.
In the extra period and the game again tied at 66, CafeFrance woke up and unleashed a 7-0 run powered by Ebondo to post a 73-66 advantage in the final 1:15 and seal the victory.
“That’s the lesson we learned today: na yung character ng team, matibay na,” Macaraya said.
AMA was led by James Martinez’ 23 points with Jay-R Taganas tallying 15 markers, 18 boards, and seven assists.
In the second game between two also-ran squads, MJM won over MP Hotel in a 93-68 rout to improve to 3-6 with its second straight victory.
Mac Belo led the charge for the M-Builders with 13 points and seven rebounds while Carl Bryan Cruz had 12 points.
Gelo Alolino and Roger Pogoy contibuted 10 points each for MJM.
Assistant coach Josh Reyes called the shots for the M-Builders, though coach Nash Racela sat on the sidelines in the win.
Rene Pacquiao topped MP Hotel with 14 points as the Warriors fell further with a 1-8 record.
In the third game, Cebuana Lhuillier stayed in contention for the quarterfinals with an 85-62 win over Wangs Basketball.
Norbert Torres led the Gems with 16 points as four others cracked in double-digits in scoring for the win.
At 5-4, the Gems still have a chance to get the last of the two twice-to-beat edge as they sit a game behind fourth-place Jumbo Plastic (6-3).
Simon Enciso had 14 markers, Allan Mangahas and Paul Zamar got 11, and Mar Villahermosa drained 10 for coach Boycie Zamar in the victory.
Paolo Pontejos and Mark Montuano both wound up with 10 for Wangs (2-7) in the losing effort. (RL)
The Scores:
First Game:
CafeFrance 74 – Ebondo 18, Ahanmisi 17, De Leon 14, Galanza 6, Huertas 5, Batino 4, Andrada 3, Cortes 3, Abundo 2, Sedurifa 2, Jeruta 0, Celso 0, Noble 0.
AMA University 68 – Martinez 23, Taganas 15, Sabangan 10, Olivares 6, Sison 6, Arellano 4, Balucanag 2, Rosales 2, Eriobu 0, Dizon 0.
Quarters: 9-17, 23-29, 37-45, 62-62, 74-68.
Second Game:
MJM Builders 93 – Belo 13, Cruz 12, Alolino 10, Pogoy 10, Tolomia 9, Alberto 8, Khobuntin 8, Mendoza 6, Matias 6, Perez 4, Javelona 3, Inigo 3, Neypes 1, Jose 0.
MP Hotel 68 – Pacquiao 14, Collado 10, Escosio 7, Celda 7, Rogado 7, Yusop 6, Jamon 4, Masaglang 4, Yaya 3, Allen 2, Hainga 2, Landicho 0, Palma 0.
Quarters: 19-20, 42-37, 65-56, 93-68.
Third Game:
Cebuana Lhuillier 85 – Torres 16, Enciso 14, A. Mangahas 11, Zamar 11, Villahermosa 10, Vosotros 8, Ferrer 6, Lopez 5, Acibar 2, Bautista 0, Guinto 0, J. Mangahas 0.
Wangs Basketball 62 – Pontejos 18, Montuano 18, Morales 5, Acosta 4, Montemayor 4, Morillo 4, Miranda 4, Acuna 3, Mendoza 2, Purdy 0, Ferrer 0, Acidre 0, Rosopa 0, Lina 0.
Quarters: 15-12, 40-34, 63-50, 85-62.
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