CaféFrance gains D-L quarters

CaféFrance leaned on another monster game from Rod Ebondo and downed AMA Online Education, 92-83, in the PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao on Monday.

The 6-foot-7 Ebondo scored 29 points and grabbed 18 boards as he outshone AMA’s dynamic duo of Jeron Teng and Juami Tiongson.

The win was CaféFrance’s seventh in eight games, formalizing its entry to the quarterfinals.

The Bakers got the assurance of advancing to the next round following Tanduay’s 86-66 demolition of Batangas – thanks to the happy reunion of former Star Hotshots Mark Cruz and Jerwin Gaco.

Paul Desiderio added 14 points built on three triples.

The game was close throughout until the Bakers opened the fourth with an 8-2 run that gave them an 87-75 lead on Paul Desiderio's corner triple.

Reliving his glory days with Letran in the NCAA, Cruz exploded for 29 points while the 6-foot-4 Gaco used his guile to produce a double-double of 22 points and 11 boards.

The 5-foot-6 Cruz also had three and two rebounds.

Gaco, 36, who was signed by Tanduay only last Sunday, and Cruz starred in a big second quarter assault, combining for 16 points to give the Rhum Masters a 41-27 advantage at halftime.

The win improved Tanduay’s record to 4-3 while Batangas slipped to 3-5.

Cruz 29, Gaco 22, Eguilos 11, Quinto 10, Vigil 5, Santos 3, Cenal 2, Sollano 2, Villamor 2, Asuncion 0, Palma 0, Sanga 0, Stevens 0, Varilla 0.

Sedurifa 14, Saitanan 11, Sara 10, Ablaza 7, Isit 6, De Joya 4, Mangabang 4, Dela Pena 3, Delfinado 3, Andrada 2, Laude 2, Fortu 0, Inciong 0, Lascano 0.

Quarters: 17-19, 41-27, 64-52, 86-66. Ebondo 29, Desiderio 14, Arim 9, Casino 9, Calisaan 8, Faundo 6, Veron 5, Manlangit 4, Aquino 3, Baloria 3, Wamar 2, Guinitaran 0, Jeruta 0. Tiongson 23, Teng 22, Olayon 9, Alabanza 8, Arambulo 8, Barua 8, Taganas 5, Baluyot 0, Bragais 0, Riley 0. Quarters: 28-19, 50-45, 67-68, 92-83.