CAFE France regained its bearings in the second half to put away an 84-74 win over Wangs in the PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday.
Paul Desiderio scattered 23 points on 5-of-9 shooting from three-point land to fire up the Bakers, who survived John Tayongtong's 39-point outburst for Wangs.
Rod Ebondo added 20 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, while Mike Calisaan had 18 points for the Bakers, who posted their third straight victory to improve to a 4-1 card and gain provisional solo second behind league leader Racal (4-0).
Cafe France used a 14-2 rally ending the third quarter to open a 73-61 lead and kept a safe distance from Wangs from there, even padding the lead to 82-67 late in the fourth period.
"Kanina sa first half everyone wanted to win but walang energy at effort. Second half bumawi but still ang daming lapses," said coach Cafe France Egay Macaraya.
Tayongtong already had 25 point in the first half but even his offensive onslaught wasn't enough to prevent the Couriers from falling to a 1-4 card.
Marlon Gomez and James Regalado chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Wangs.
The Scores:
Cafe France 84 - Desiderio 23, Ebondo 20, Calisaan 18, Aquino 8, Faundo 5, Arim 4, Manlangit 4, Casino 2, Gabriel 0, Guinitaran 0, Jeruta 0, Opiso 0, Wamar 0.
Wangs 74 - Tayongtong 39, M. Gomez 11, Regalado 10, Publico 6, Enriquez 2, Montuano 2, Salcedo 2, Brana 1, King 1, Gubal 0, Labing-isa 0, Lasco 0, Tambeling 0.
Quarterscores: 24-19, 40-42, 73-61, 84-74.
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