Games Tomorrow
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)
2 p.m. – BDO-NU vs Mindanao
4 p.m. – Wangs vs AMA University
CafeFrance rolled to its fifth victory in as many games, this time imposing its will on Wangs Basketball, 106-73, in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.
Like in their previous game where they stormed back from a huge deficit to take a 90-87 victory over Caida, the Bakers came up with another big second half to put away the Couriers and send them reeling to their third fourth straight defeat in the tournament.
But this time coach Egay Macaraya did not have to rely on just two men as he saw most of his Centro Escolar University-based players create damage for him in the final 20 minutes.
Mon Abundo, Rod Ebondo, Joseph Manlangit, Jason Opiso and JK Casino all played big in the final two quarters to break the game wide open after a fairly close first half encounter between the two clubs where the Bakers only led the Couriers by seven, 44-37.
With the CEU-five playing like a true champion squad and veteran recruits Mar Villahermosa and Carl Bryan Cruz finding their spot, the Couriers never had a chance from the reigning Foundation Cup champions who are showing that they are the barometer of the league this early in the season.
“Malaking tulong sa mga bata ito because they got the boost in motivation, may kumpyansa sila and na-prove nila na their hard work is finally paying off,” said Macaraya. “Kahit sino ang bigyan ko ng playing time, pumupukpok talaga.”
Abundo was in total control of the game as he flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 11 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Six other players notched double-digits for the Bakers led by Villahermosa who fired in 15 points.
Cruz added 13 markers in a fitting follow up to his 26 point performance against Caida. Ebondo and Manlangit finished with 12 apiece, Casino added 11 while Samboy de Leon had 10 in another balanced attack for the Bakers.
Mark Romero paced the now 1-4 Wangs with 18 points.