Aspirants Cup: Garcia, NLEX show championship form vs Café France

NLEX wrapped up its elimination round with a 107-89 drubbing of Café France in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup on Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan City.

 

RR Garcia delivered the goods for NLEX in the third quarter scoring 14 of his 25 markers in that pivotal quarter that saw the Road Warriors enjoy an 84-60 lead entering the fourth.

 

Café France made it an interesting match-up early on, when it trailed by only four points, 45-41, at halftime, but NLEX showed its true caliber in the next period.

 

"We want to carry that winning attitude into the semifinals. Although we are already assured of a slot in the semifinals, we don't want to slack off,” NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez said.

 

The Road Warriors find themselves on top of the standings with a 9-1 win-loss slate at the end of the elimination round, heading into the semi-finals.

 

Ian Sangalang led NLEX's 7-0 spurt for a 60-48 advantage and then Garcia made seven straight points as the Road Warriors' lead ballooned to 84-57.

 

Chris Ellis finished with 16 points and Garvo Lanete added 14 markers for NLEX.

 

Café France, mentored by Egay Macaraya, finished its elimination round campaign with a 4-6 record, a vast improvement from its 1-5 win-loss card in the Foundation Cup.

 

Mac Montilla tallied a game-high 31 points, Jeff Viernes had 18 and Lyle Antipuesto chipped in 10 for the Bakers. — AMD/JVP, GMA News

 

The scores:

 

NLEX 107—Garcia 25, Ellis 16, Lanete 14, Sangalang 13, Abueva 9, Hodge 7, Belencion 6, Marcelo 4, Suguitan 4, Dehesa 3, Co 2, Reyes 2, Arao 2.

 

Café France 89—Montilla 31, Viernes 18, Antipuesto 10, Parala 9, Guillen 7, Mabayo 6, Abundo 4, Lucernas 3, Dumapig 1, Jasmin 0, Orbeta 0, Magbitang 0.

 

Quarter scores: 24-15, 49-45, 84-60, 107-90.