Viernes carries Cafe France

DIMINUTIVE guard Jeff Viernes led a balanced offensive attack by Cafe France as they drubbed Dub Unlimited, 85-77, to keep its improbable run to the quarterfinals alive in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at the San Juan gym.

Talisay City native Lyle Antipuesto tallied 12 points and shooting guard Mac Montilla added 11 for Café France, which won for the second straight game and improved to 4-5 (win-loss).

Café France winds up its elimination round assignment round against NLEX on Jan. 17, needing a victory  to earn at least a playoff for the last quarterfinal berth.

Café France’s backcourt outscored DUB Unlimited’s guards, 42-27. Jeric Teng showed the way for DUB Unlimited with 12 points. Roel Hugnatan and Jesse Bustos had 10 apiece for the Wheelers, who wound up its campaign with a 1-9 record.

Café France struggled with six turnovers in the opening quarter but offset it by holding DUB Unlimited to 5-of-22 shooting to take a 30-19 lead after the first period.

The Bakers went 8-of-18, including 5-of-8 from the three-point range in that stretch.

The Bakers kept its offense going in the second quarter as Viernes and Antipuesto knocked timely shots./Correspondent Jonas Panerio