CAFÉ France took an important step in its quarterfinal bid when the Bakers defeated Air21-Arellano, 92-63, on Monday at the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the JCSGO gym in Quezon City.
The Bakers finished the eliminations in sixth place with an 8-5 win-loss record, but will have to wait for the result of the Blackwater Sports-Cebuana Lhuillier match-up set on Tuesday.
Blackwater Sports, which currently holds a 7-5 slate, needs a win to clinch a quarterfinal berth and put Café France out of contention.
Rod Ebondo had 18 points, while Mark Parale added 15 markers for Café France, which took a big lead with a 10-0 run midway in the first period.
The Chiefs ended their maiden campaign in the developmental league with a disappointing 1-12 record.
The scores:
Café France (92) – Ebondo 18, Parale 15, Gallardo 10, Montilla 9, De Leon 8, Nimes 7, Batino 6, Cortez 5, Abundo 4, Celso 2, Mutombo 2, Sarangay 2, Banua 2, Opiso 2.
Air21-Arellano (63) – Acidre 14, Webb 14, Tayongtong 10, Arquero 9, Nuilan 6, Fran 5, Rogado 3, Palma 2, Yaya 0, Ciriacruz 0.
Quarterscores: 26-18; 50-36; 72-48; 92-63.
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