CaféFrance turned what was expected to be a tight battle between two title favorites into a one-sided affair with an 83-67 victory over Tanduay yesterday in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Michael Calisaan, one of coach Egay Macaraya’s players at San Sebastian, scored 23 points as the Bakers led by as many as 25 points to launch their quest for a second crown since joining the league in 2011 on a positive note.
University of the Philippines star Paul Desiderio also made a good account of himself in his D-League debut with 18 points, scoring crucial baskets that saw off Tanduay’s late comeback attempt.
Calisaan’s three-point play in the third quarter gave CaféFrance a 57-32 lead, but Tanduay got to within 67-61 on two free throws by Bong Quinto in the fourth.
But Desiderio conspired by Centro Escolar University standouts JK Casino and Rod Ebondo to scuttle the Rhum Masters’ rally and seal the victory for the Bakers.
Earlier, Rey Nambatac scored 16 points, Donald Gumaru added 14 while Lervin Flores posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds as Racal ripped Blustar-Malaysia, 109-58.