Viernes keeps Café France hot, playoff hopes alive
Jeff Viernes had another solid outing as Café France defeated DUB Unlimited, 85-77, Tuesday to stay in the fight for a quarterfinals berth in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the San Juan Gym.
Viernes finished with 19 points following his 24 markers in the Bakers' previous match to climb to a 4-5 win-loss card for their second consecutive victory.
Lyle Antipuesto tallied 12 points while Mac Montilla added 11 markers for Café France, which has the enormous task of winning its last game against NLEX on January 17 to earn at least a playoff for the last quarterfinal berth.
"The players are inspired knowing that we have a chance to make the quarters. It will be tough to make the quarterfinals but this win raised the confidence of the guys. Let's see what happens," said Café France coach Egay Macaraya.
Café France took advantage of its backcourt outscoring DUB Unlimited, 42-27.
Jeric Teng finished with 12 points while Roel Hugnatan and Jesse Bustos dropped 10 apiece for the Wheelers, who ended the conference with a 1-9 win-loss record.
The Bakers took a 30-19 lead in the first period after its suffocating defense held DUB to only 5-of-22 shooting from the field.
Café France continued to pour it on in the second quarter, thanks to Viernes and Antipuesto, for a 47-36 halftime lead.
DUB's offense suffered a big blow when Marlon Gomez was rushed to the hospital after suffering a big cut in the mouth late in the first period. He didn't return to the game after scoring six points.
The Wheelers came to within 10 points in the third but the Bakers closed out the period with a bang, stretching their lead to 78-62. — AMD/JVP, GMA News
Scores:
Café France 85—Viernes 19, Parala 14, Antipuesto 12, Montilla 11, Dumapig 11, Mabayo 10, Guillen 6, Magbitang 2, Alquisalas 0, Orbeta 0, Lucernas 0.
DUB Unlimited 77—Teng 12, Bustos 10, Hugnatan 10, Bolos 7, Aguilar 7, Villahermosa 6, Gomez 6, Leynes 6, Pascual 6, Zamar 3, Tapang 2, Gonzales 2, Melegrito 0, Wong 0.
Quarter scores: 30-19, 47-36, 69-55, 85-77.
Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/244111/sports/basketball/pba-d-league-viernes-keeps-caf-rance-hot-playoff-hopes-alive
