CaféFrance, Phoenix stay unbeaten
CaféFrance showed its championship poise and fended off Racal’s determined comeback to eke out an 8379 win in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup yesterday at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
Rod Ebondo carried the Bakers with 15 points and six rebounds despite fouling out with still five minutes left to play.
Aaron Jeruta chipped in 12 markers, four assists, and three boards, while Paul Zamar added 10 to help give CaféFrance a share of the top spot with Phoenix at 2-0.
“Hinabol nila kami. Nag-go small na and all-CEU, and the boys showed yung character nila na ayaw magpatalo,” said coach Egay Macaraya.
The Bakers took an early 20-1 lead before Philip Paniamogan's 24 points on a 4-of-7 shooting from threes brought Racal back in the game and set up the thrilling finish.
Without Ebondo in the final five minutes of the game, the Tile Masters managed to close it at 80-70, but Jeruta came to CaféFrance’s rescue with a floater and Mon Abundo splitting his freebies from a Paniamogan deliberate foul with 11.1 ticks left.
Racal had one last chance to pull the come-from-behind win, but Chris Javier was called for a charging foul with 5.5 seconds left as the defending Foundation Cup champs escaped with the win.
In the first game, Phoenix bucked a slow start and romped to a 108-78 win over Topstar ZC Mindanao.
Mac Belo showed why he is the 2016 Aspirants' Cup MVP as he carried his team with 25 points, 18 of which coming in the first half, three rebounds and three steals.
Mike Tolomia also stepped up for the Accelerators with 22 markers, five boards, and four assists, while Ed Daquioag produced 16 points and five rebounds. Roger Pogoy and Jens Knuttel had 10 markers to underscore the team's awesome firepower.