Team Batangas finished their initial foray in the second league with a 91-69 stunner over the Café France-Centro Escolar University Bakers in their no-bearing tiff, Monday afternoon at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.
Fighting for pride, the Batanguenos leaned on Dan Sara to orchestrate their strong start, while banking on Joseph Sedurifa to close the deal out.
Sara poured all of his 16 points in the first two quarters, alongside three rebounds and two assists. Sedurifa drilled 11 of his 16 markers in the fourth frame, on top of 11 boards and six assists, to improve Batangas’ record to 4-5, good for seventh in the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.
“We definitely got something from this and we did what we’re talking about all conference long, that we need to keep on improving,” said coach Eric Gonzales, as his side racked their third win in their last four games.
Cedrick Ablaza added 13 points and five rebounds, while Joey Lascano had 12 markers and six boards.
Batangas took advantage of a lackadaisical Café France crew, taking a 52-32 halftime lead before ballooning the advantage to 25, 72-47, in the third quarter.
Michael Calisaan still kept the Bakers in the game, chipping away the lead to its lowest at 13, 76-63, with 5:41 left in the fourth quarter, but Sedurifa imposed his will to give the win for Batangas.
Batangas knocked down 12 three-pointers in the game compared to just three for Café France. It effectively negated the 22 free throws converted by the Bakers.
Calisaan topped Café France with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Oliver Arim had 13 markers and three boards in the no-bearing game.
The Scores:
Team Batangas 91 – Sara 16, Sedurifa 16, Ablaza 13, Lascano 12, Saitanan 11, Mendoza 10, Dela Pena 5, Mangabang 4, Isit 2, Laude 2, De Joya 0, Delfinado 0, Inciong 0, Revadavia 0.
Cafe France 69 – Calisaan 14, Arim 13, Aquino 8, Faundo 7, Manlangit 6, Veron 5, Casino 4, Desiderio 4, Guinitaran 4, Wamar 4, Ebondo 0, Mercado 0.
Quarterscores: 25-18, 52-32 74-55, 91-69.
