PBA D-League: Café France trounces Jr. Powerade to stay in playoff hunt

Café France kept itself in a hunt for a playoff berth Thursday when the Bakers trounced Junior Powerade, 81-66, in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The Bakers recorded their second win in six outings as they go in the stretch run of the eliminations. Café France is now tied with Boracay Rum and Erase Plantcenta for sixth place and the final quarterfinal spot. "I think we still have good chance of making the quarters. The magic number is 4. If we win two of our three remaining games we could make it," said Café France coach Egay Macaraya. Marion Magat had his best outing in the league so far churning 20 points and 14 rebounds. Josan Nimes scored 17 points off the bench while Jens Knuttel finished with 11 points and five assists. The Bakers had a 55-29 lead after the first half thanks to a 51 percent clip from the field. Mike Silungan had 21 points while Claude Cubo added 14 for the Tigers, who slipped to 2-5. In the second game, NLEX rolled to its seventh win in as many outings defeating the Cagayan Rising Suns, 84-53. Cliff Hodge finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and three blocks while Emman Monfort added 15 points and five steals for the Road Warriors, who only need two victories to sweep the elimination round and a place in the outright semifinal spot. NLEX used its defense to outclass Cagayan limiting the Rising Suns to two-of-22 in the first quarter to take a 20-6 advantage. The Road Warriors led, 51-19, at the half to overcome the Rising Suns, still winless in seven outings. — JVP, GMA News