SAMBOY De Leon and Jam Cortes each scored 27 points and Cafe France used a telling third quarter pullaway to beat AMA University, 92-75, on Monday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Bakers outscored the Titans, 23-10, in the third frame en route to their fifth straight win, strengthening their grip on second place with a 5-1 slate behind unbeaten leader Cebuana Lhuillier (6-0).
Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya took advantage of their run-and-gun play to tire out AMA's Jay-R Taganas.
“That was really the game plan. I thought our up tempo game took its toll on Jay-R. I also thought my bigs did a good job tiring him out.
“He wasn’t as effective and got into foul trouble in the third. Taking away Jay-R’s game really hurt AMA,” Macaraya said.
Taganas finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds in 40 minutes of action, but AMA suffered its third straight loss for a 2-4 slate. The Titans failed to sustain their play after tying the game at 38 late in the second quarter.
The scores:
Cafe France (92) - De Leon 27, Cortez 27, Sedurifa 12, Ebondo 9, Abundo 5, Batino 4, Jeruta 2, Celso 2, Ahanmisi 2, Andrada 2, Galanza 0, Miranda 0, Noble 0.
AMA (75) - King 18, Martinez 14, Taganas 14, Martinez 14, Maiquez 11, Camasura 6, Asuncion 6, Jordan 2, Angeles 2, Sison 0, Diswe 0, Calma 0, Rosales 0.
Quarterscores: 18-20; 43-38; 66-48; 92-75.