Bakers oust Titans, gain lead share

Games Tuesday (JCSGO Gym, Cubao)

4 p.m. – AMA Online Education

vs Topstar ZC Mindanao?

6 p.m. – Phoenix vs Blustar Detergent

MANILA, Philippines - JK Casino fired all but six of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as Cafe France bundled out AMA Online Education, 86-70, yesterday and regained a share of the lead in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Casino’s late-game explosion included a pair of triples that keyed a telling 17-2 run and helped turn a 59-64 deficit into the 76-66 lead en route to victory, their eighth against two losses.

Congolese big man Rod Ebondo led Cafe France with a double-double of 25 markers and 14 boards and came away with two blocks, while Bryan Cruz tallied 21 points and eight rebounds.

The loss, its sixth against three wins, also booted AMA Online Education out of the Final Four race, leaving the title chase to Café France, Racal, Phoenix and Tanduay.

But the semifinalists are in for a tight battle for the top two slots and the twice-to-beat incentives with Phoenix and Tanduay just half-a-game behind the joint leaders with 7-3 cards.

Rashawn McCarthy topped AMA Online with 28 points, five rebounds and five assists, while James Martinez shot 15 markers, grabbed four boards and dished off three assists.

The scores:

First Game

CAFE FRANCE 86 – Ebondo 25, Cruz 21, Casino 20, Zamar 7, Manlangit 5, Abundo 4, Jeruta 2, Parala 2, Anunciacion 0, Arim 0, Custodio 0, Opiso 0.

AMA 70 – McCarthy 28, Martinez 15, Ortega 8, Jordan 6, Arambulo 4, Jo. Montemayor 4, Asuncion 3, Taganas 2, Belleza 0, Bragais 0, Macaranas 0, Je. Montemayor 0.

QuartersCORES: 25-20, 45-44, 54-55, 86-70.