CaféFrance used a strong first half in its 92-86 victory against AMA Online Education on Tuesday in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
Bryan Cruz had an excellent shooting in the first half to get things going for the Bakers, who bounced back from an 80-84 loss to Tanduay Rhum on Tuesday and improved to 4-1.
CaféFrance Coach Egay Macaraya was far from impressed, though.
“We can’t play this way. I thought we lacked the energy and effort. Akala yata nila dahil CaféFrance, sigurado na sa championship,” Macaraya said.
Cruz went five-of-seven, including three three-pointers, in the first half as the defending champions took control early and had a 48-31 lead at the break. Cruz finished with 20 points and had nine rebounds.
CaféFrance led by as many as 18 points but needed to play with poise in the fourth quarter to hold off a late comeback by the Titans.
“We’re very complacent. We have to address this sooner than later,” Macaraya added.
Rodrigue Ebondo scored 16 points, Aaron Jeruta had 12 and Paul Zamar added 10 for the Bakers, who blew a 20-point lead in their loss to the Rhum Masters that snapped their three-game winning streak. Mar Villahermosa turned in 10 points for CaféFrance, which made 12-of-39 attempts from three-point range.
AMA picked up its fourth loss in as many games and is in danger of an early elimination.
Rashawn McCarthy scored 25 points and JR Taganas had 16 and 16 rebounds, as the Titans pounded the Bakers off the boards, 50-42.