Café France re-asserted themselves at the top of the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup mountain, downing the Blustar Detergent Dragons, 90-61, Thursday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Café France leaned on the two-man power trip of Rod Ebondo and Paul Zamar to notch their sixth win in seven outings, despite the absence of suspended forward Carl Bryan Cruz.
The Congolese big man recorded a huge double-double with 20 points, 20 rebounds, and two blocks, while Zamar added 20 markers, six assists, and two boards.
Debuting Jopher Custodio also finished with 14 points and four rebounds in the win.
“We focused on our transition defense, controlling boards, and attacking the middle,” said Café France head coach Egay Macaraya. “The game plan was very effective and I’m happy that everybody contributed.”
Ebondo and Zamar helped Café France break away just before halftime with a 16-0 run to hold a 42-28 lead at the break, which would extend to 29 in the end game.
The Bakers lorded the rebounding department, out-rebounding the taller Dragons crew, 61-39.
Juami Tiongson topped the Dragons (1-7) with 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Kuek Tian Yuan and Ma Chee Kuen combined for 22 markers in the defeat.
The Scores:
Cafe France (90) – Ebondo 20, Zamar 20, Custodio 14, Parala 8, Abundo 7, Jeruta 6, Opiso 5, Arim 4, Manlangit 4, Casino 2, Anunciacion 0.
Blustar (61) – Tiongson 17, Kuek 11, Ma 11, Liaw 6, Yim 6, Choo 4, Palma 4, Wong 2, Gan 0, Mak 0, Teo 0.
Quarterscores: 22-17, 42-28, 61-45, 90-61.
