Bakers halt Accelerators for No. 1 seed

Games Monday (Arena, San Juan) 2 p.m. – Phoenix-FEU vs Mindanao 4 p.m. – BDO-NU vs Caida Tile

CafeFrance recovered from a first-half struggle and imposed its will in the stretch as the Bakers stopped the Phoenix-FEU Accelerators, 83-74, to clinch the top seeding in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup quarterfinals at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City yesterday.

Rod Ebondo put in a double-double game of 26 points and 19 rebounds, Mar Villahermosa added 13 markers and Carl Bryan Cruz poured 11 points and hauled down eight rebounds as the Bakers closed out the elims with a 7-1 card.

“Clinching the top spot in the quarters is a big boost and good motivation for the boys,” said CafeFrance coach Egay Macaraya, who also drew 11 points from Samboy de Leon.

Mon Abundo chipped in 10 points, including a clutch jumper from the left corner with 22 seconds left in the contest.

“The boys played well, they didn’t want to lose, and they executed our game plan,” said Macaraya.

The Bakers’ defense also held the Accelerators to just 74 points after the latter came into the match norming 97.5 points per game.

Despite missing the services of Roger Pogoy (hamstring) and Raymar Jose (sprained ankle), the Accelerators still came out smoking, taking charge in the first two quarters.

Alfrancis Tamsi fired 17 points for the Accelerators, who dropped to 5-2 with a game left in the elims against Mindanao on Monday.

Earlier, UP QRS/JAM Liner took the fourth seeding with a 100-84 victory over AMA University.

Raul Soyud took over for the Maroons in the second half, scoring 12 of his 20 points in the third and went on to finish with 19 rebounds.