MANILA, Philippines - NLEX suited up without its key players but it did not run out of stars as it stormed Cagayan as expected, 84-53, last night to keep its frontrunning unbeaten slate in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Without Ian Sanggalang and Calvin Abueva, who missed the game for the third time, the Road Warriors held the Rising Suns to just 2-of-22 shooting (nine percent) in the first quarter, then raced away behind a 31-13 run in the second period to stretch their win to seven.
In the first game, Cafe France seized control early and went on to overpower Jr. Powerade, 81-66, as it kept its playoff hopes alive.
Marion Magat put in a double-double job of 20 points and 14 rebounds while Josan Nimes came off the bench to fire 17 points for the Bakers, who came off a two-week break to post their second win in six games.
Jens Knuttel scored 11 points and dished off five assists while providing the much-needed leadership for Café France, which snapped a four-game losing skid to remain in contention for a quarterfinal berth.
The Bakers hit 51 percent of their field goals in the first half to post a 55-29 lead at the turn.
“I think we still have good chance of making the quarters. The magic number is 4. If we win two of our last three games, we could make it,” said Café France coach Egay Macaraya.
Mike Silungan made 21 points and Claude Cubo added 14 for the Jr Tigers, who trailed by 22 points late in the second quarter but rallied to within, 58-68, in the fourth on a basket by Cubo with six minutes to play.
But the Bakers put their act together and scored eight unanswered points to stretch the lead back to 18 points.
Café France outrebounded Jr. Powerade, 59-42, including 22 offensive rebounds, that earned them 24 second chance points.
Jr Powerade slid to 2-5.