Games Thursday (Ynares Arena, Pasig City)
1 p.m. – Liver Marin vs Cagayan Valley
3 p.m. – Tanduay Light vs Hapee
Café France struggled with its shooting through three quarters but picked up its game in the fourth quarter and held off Kera Mix, 70-65, on Monday to bolster its bid for an outright semifinal berth in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
Rodrigue Ebondo poured 10 points in the fourth quarter as the Bakers outscored the Mixers, 26-18, to bounce back from 72-75 loss to Hapee last week and hang on to second place with a 6-2 (win-loss) record.
The Bakers could secure their place in the Final with a victory against Jumbo Plastic on or a win by league leader Cebuana Lhuillier against Hapee on Monday next week.
“I told the guys before the game that Kera Mix will be our ticket to the semis and a victory against Jumbo Plastic will secure our place in the Final Four,” said Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya.
“Our shooting was really bad. But the guys hung on and I thought our patience paid off. ”
Ebondo, who shot 1 of 3 in through three quarter eventually finished with a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds.
Maverick Ahanmisi and Jam Cortez each scored 12 points for the Bakers, who went 14 of 55 (25 percent) from the field for three quarters. Café France shot 56 percent (9 of 16) in the fourth.
Kera Mix dictated the pace in the middle quarters and held a 47-44 lead entering the fourth.
Scores:
Café France 70 – Ebondo 16, Ahanmisi 12, Cortez 12, Sedurifa 7, Poligrates 7, Jeruta 5, Galanza 3, Abundo 3, Noble 3, Andrada 2, De Leon 0, Miranda 0, Batino 0.
Kera Mix 65 – Jalalon 14, Agovida 11, Gabawan 8, Digregorio 7, Jamito 7, Parala 6, Robles 4, Sinco 3, Gil 2, Saitanan 2, Viernes 1, Ruaya 0.
Quarters: 15-15; 28-34; 44-47; 70-65