Games Thursday (Ynares Arena)
12 nn – Cagayan Valley vs MJM Builders-FEU
2 p.m. – Wangs Basketball vs MP Hotel
4 p.m. – Bread Story-LPU vs Jumbo Plastic
Café France rode a solid first quarter and blasted newcomer MP Hotel, 86-59, while Cebuana Lhuillier bounced back from a poor start to demolish Racal Motors, 89-70, on Monday to open their campaigns on a bright note in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
The Café France-MP Hotel encounter was a mismatch. The Bakers dominated their inexperience rivals the entire game and led by as many as 28 points late in the second quarter.
Four starters scored in double figures for the Bakers with Fil-Am Maverick Ahanmisi and guard Alvin Abundo leading the way with 11 points apiece while shooting a combined 7 of 11 from the field. Jam Cortes and Rodrigue Ebondo added 10 each.
“We just had a good start. At yung kalaban namin medyo naninibago pa,” said Café France coach Egay Macaraya of their lopsided victory.
While saying he has a balanced and deep team this season, Macaraya said he is not yet convince that the Bakers are a title contender.
“Hindi pa ako naniniwala sa team ko. Siguro if we could play with the same intensity and passion against elite teams baka makumnbinsi ako,” he said.
Ahanmisi, who played college ball for Minnesota University in the US NCAA Division 1, made his presence felt early. He scored 10 of his points in the first quarter on 3 of 3 shooting, including two 3-point shots to spark Café France’s breakaway.
Jamabon Bulac came off the bench and topscored for MP Hotel with nine points.
The scores:
Café France 86 – Ahanmisi 11, Abundo 11, Cortes 10, Ebondo 10, Jeruta 8, Adrada 8, Sedurifa 7, Galanza 6, Noble 6, Batino 5, Habelito 2, De Leon 2, HUertas 0, Celso 0.
MP Hotel 59 – Bulac 9, Escosio 8, Yaya 8, Collado 7, Belorio 6, McCarthy 5, Sumido 4, Calo 4, Morillo 4, Allen 2, Hainga 2, Blanco 0, Landicho 0, Yusop 0.
Quarters: 31-9; 48-22; 69-42; 86-59
Cebuana Lhuillier 89 – Guinto 18, Mangahas 13, Zamar 13, Vosotros 11, Vilahermosa 10, Sison 8, Acibar 4, Ciriacruz 4, J. Mangahas 3, enciso 2, Arellano 2, Sarangay 1.
Racal Motors 70 – Gil 15, Ortuoste 12, Viernes 11, Asuncion 11, Gabawan 8, Jamito 5, Saitanan 3, Ruaya 3, Ibay 2, Ibarra 0, Redoh 0.
Quarters: 16-21; 44-33; 64-49; 89-70