CafeFrance rallies from 24 points down to beat Caida

Games Monday (Arena, San Juan)

2 p.m. – UP/QRS JAM Liner vs Mindanao
4 p.m. – Phoenix-FEU vs Caida Tile

MANILA, Philippines – CafeFrance charged back from 24 points down in the second quarter then outlasted Caida Tiles in a down-to-the-wire finish, 90-87, to grab the solo lead in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City yesterday.

Carl Bryan Cruz stepped up and fired a game-high 26 points on an 8-of-11 shooting from the field and added five rebounds while Paul Zamar hit four triples en route to a 25-point effort as the Bakers scrambled to stretch their win run to four.

Rod Ebondo  scored  another double-double with 18 points, 14 boards and four blocks.

“I said that we’re a new team with only eight guys to lean on in this kind of games. But at least, they showed heart,” said CafeFrance coach Egay Macaraya, who also drew a double-double game from Rod Ebondo, who finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds with four blocks to boot.

Ebondo and Cruz delivered the goods in the final two minutes, giving the Bakers a 90-86 lead.

Chris Javier made a split on the other end and a Zamar miss gave Caida a chance to stay in the game. But Philip Paniamogan missed two potential game-tying treys and the Tile Masters absorbed their first defeat after streaking to three wins.

Paniamogan went 3-of-6 from threes to pace Caida with 15 points, while Rey Nambatac had an all-around effort of 13 markers, nine rebounds, and seven assists.

Earlier, Tanduay warded off Wangs Basketball, 90-75, to post its second straight victory after dropping its first two.
Rudy Lingganay and Reden Celda anchored the Rhum Masters’ charge in the fourth quarter, finishing the game on a 17-4 run. Tanduay also pounced on Wangs’ four turnovers in the last two minutes.

Lingganay poured in six of his 16 points in the payoff period, while Adrian Santos also went for 16 markers and five rebounds. for the Rhum Makers.