CAFE France nailed their first win in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup in exciting fashion as they wiped out an 18-point deficit to defeat the Cobra Energy Drink, 78-73, yesterday at the Far Eastern University gym.
The Bakers, who learned their lesson from Monday’s frustrating loss against RnW Pacific Pipes, turned the game around with excellent interior defense from Mike Parala, Mark Guillen, Kris Lucernas and Chris Dumapig that held the Iron to 25 percent shooting (10 of 40) in the second half.
Mac Montilla led all scorers with 21 points and his back-to-back threes shove Café France into the lead for the first time at 64-62 two minutes into the fourth quarter.
The Bakers never trailed after that but had to weather a late charge by Cobra Energy Drink to snap a three-game skid.
It was another heartbreaker for the Iron Men, who stayed winless in four games.
They took control early with an up-tempo game and excellent shot making that included 6-of-8 shooting in the opening quarter.
Cobra Energy Drink enjoyed the game’s biggest lead at 24-6 and 27-9. Correspondent Jonas Panerio