The Café France Bakers dealt visiting team Blustar Detergent Dragons a 36-point beatdown with a 88-52 victory to score their second win in the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, Tuesday afternoon at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.
Paul Desiderio scattered 19 points and three assists for the Bakers, while Rod Ebondo did it all as he wound up with 14 markers, eight rebounds, two dimes, and two blocks.
Everybody did their share for Café France, as all 14 men scored at least two points in the rout.
However, it was the Bakers’ defense that did the trick, as they held the Dragons to a measly six points in the second frame to break away, 51-22, at halftime.
Coach Egay Macaraya lauds his players for the all-out effort, but seeks to develop the team’s chemistry more as Café France gear up for tougher foes ahead.
“Gusto ko pa sila mag-jell. I have four new players here, so kahit na lamang kami, our rotation is still the same. I want our team to jell because we know that our next games will be tougher,” he said, as Café France improved to 2-1.
The Bakers also bounced back from their 88-74 loss to Cignal-San Beda last Thursday.
60 of Café France’s points came off the bench as Macaraya plugged in an unusual starting five for the 2015 Foundation Cup champions. Café France out-rebounded Blustar by a huge margin, 56-41.
Mak Long Seng carried Blustar (0-3) with 15 points, nine rebounds, and two assists, while new acquisition Jason Melano finished with 12 markers, three boards, and three dimes in the loss.
Café France will take on JRU this Thursday, February 9, while Blustar’s next match will be on February 16, also a Thursday. Both games are set at 5:00 PM and will be played at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Scores:
Cafe France 88 – Desiderio 19, Ebondo 14, Veron 9, Manlangit 8, Gabriel 7, Arim 6, Aquino 4, Guinitaran 4, Jeruta 4, Calisaan 3, Casino 3, Opiso 3, Faundo 2, Wamar 2.
Blustar 52 – Mak 15, Melano 12, Kwaan 11, Heng 5, Ong 5, Ang 4, Choong 0, Gan 0, Kamalrulzaman 0, Liaw 0, Liew 0, Wong 0, Chin 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16, 51-22, 68-36, 88-52.
