The Cafe France-Centro Escolar University Bakers were coasting past the Phoenix Petroleum-Far Eastern University Accelerators in the first three quarters of Game Two of the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Finals.
However, the high-powered Accelerator offense came alive in the final quarter. The once-21 point lead of the quickly evaporated to a six point lead, 74-68, with 4:56 remaining in the game behind the Phoenix troika of Ed Daquioag, Mike Tolomia, and Roger Pogoy.
Former FEU Tamaraw Carl Cruz, who missed Cafe France’s championship run during the 2015 Foundation Cup due to an ACL injury, did not allow his former teammates to rally back and gain a 2-0 series lead in Finals. After a basket by Pogoy, Carl Cruz drove his way on the other end of the court for an and-one play against Pogoy to give Cafe France a seven point cushion.
Mac Belo was able to power Phoenix afterwards as the Accelerators went on a 7-3 surge to cut the lead to four, 81-77, with 1:23 left in the game. With the shot clock winding down for Cafe France in the other end, Mon Abondo was able to locate Cruz for an alley-oop play plus the harm. “Mabigat,” Belo said about Cruz’s big play with 33 ticks remaining. “Nasa amin na yung momentum tapos pa-shot clock na. Dun nakabalik yung Cafe France.”
Cafe France was able to take home the win, 86-77, to tie the best-of-five series at a game each. After scoring a season-low four points in the first game, Carl Cruz had 18 points and nine boards to lead Cafe France-CEU.
“Bryan needed to step up. Alam naman natin pangit yung first game niya. Na-realize niya na this is about his future sa PBA,” Macaraya said about Cruz.
Cruz though deflected all the credit to his teammates even after his heroics in saying, “Buti na lang magagaling yung mga teammate ko at hindi bumitaw sa depensa. Talagang very patient sila to find the open guy.”
“Kahit hirap na hirap na sila, nakikita pa rin nila yung open guy sa ilalim.”
The former FEU Tamaraw admitted that he needed to adjust his game since he was familiar with almost everyone in the Phoenix-FEU roster. “Yun din yung sinasabi sa akin ni coach Egay. Kelangan talaga mag-adjust dahil matagal ko sila nakasama at naging ka-pamilya ko din sila. Pero yun nga, palagi ako in-eencourage ni coach na this is about my future,” he added.
Even in defeat, former teammates in the collegiate ranks RR Pogoy and Mac Belo were happy to see Cruz succeed in the semi-pro ranks. “Three years ko siya naging kakampi, three years kami nagsama,” Belo said. “Sobrang saya ko para sa kanya kasi alam naman natin mag-PPBA na siya. Stepping stone din sa kanya yung ganito.”
Pogoy then added, “Pangit yung laro niya last game pero ngayon nakabawi siya. Next game sana kami naman babawi.”
Carl Cruz and the Cafe France-CEU Bakers look to gain a 2-1 lead in the finals tomorrow, April 7 at the Ynares Sports Centre in Pasig City.
