RODRIGUE Ebondo posted a double-double of 16 points and 17 rebounds as Café France-Centro Escolar University beat ZC Mindanao Aguilas, 89-65, on Monday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Ebondo found his form early in the Bakers’ first game of the conference, unleashing a 14-point, 10-rebound effort in the first half.
The Bakers also went on a 13-0 run after the Aguilas scored the first two points of the match.
Café France coach Egay Macaraya, however, was not satisfied as the Bakers committed 13 turnovers in the first half alone.
“Isipin mo naman, 13 turnovers agad sa first half. Sa tingin ko, more on agresibo ’yung mga bata pero out of control. First game pa naman. Hopefully, maka-adjust kami agad. Combined kasi ’yung team ng veterans and rookies kaya mahirap pa ma-buo. Tignan natin sa second game,” said Macaraya.
Joseph Manlangit added 13 points and six rebounds for the Bakers, who also got 11 points from Mar Villahermosa.
Dexter Garcia scored 21 points for the Aguilas.
The scores:
Café France 89 — Ebondo 16, Manlangit 13, Villahermosa 11, Zamar 10, Jeruta 9, Celso 7, Arim 5, Casio 5, Cruz 5, De Leon 4, Abundo 2, Opiso 2, Cortez 0, Guinitaran 0.
Mindanao Aguilas 65 — Garcia 21, Sarangay 11, Jumao-as 9, Ignacio 6, Acibar 4, De Guzman 3, Rivera 3, Rublico 3, Nalos 2, Villanueva 2, Navarro 1, Julkipli 0, Ongteco 0, Wetherell 0.
Quarterscores: 19-18; 43-31; 57-45; 89-65.