MANILA--Cafe France-CEU turned back Tanduay, 83-67, in an early PBA D-League Aspirants Cup showdown pitting teams to beat at the Ynares Sports Arena on Monday night.
The Bakers outscored the Rhum Masters, 22-12, in the second quarter to blow the game wide open, leading by as much as 26 points later in the game.
Tanduay would come to within eight in the fourth quarter, but Cafe France pulled away again on a 12-2 run that eventually iced the game.
Mike Calisaan finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, and one assist, while Paul Desiderio added 16 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal and Rod Ebondo chipped in 15 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, and one block for the Bakers, the runners-up in last year's edition of the season-opening conference.
"My recruits stepped up and that's the positive for us. Hopefully, that continues and everybody starts jelling," said Coach Egay Macaraya. "If that happens, it will be a good season for us."
Bong Quinto had 12 markers, five caroms, two dimes, and one swipe to lead the Rhum Masters.
Jom Sollano, the second overall pick of the draft, had a quiet debut, finishing with only two points and one block.
Box Scores:
Cafe France-CEU 83-Calisaan 23, Desiderio 16, Ebondo 15, Casino 9, Gabriel 4, Jeruta 4, Arim 3, Faundo 3, Manlangit 3, Wamar 3, Aquino 0, Guinitaran 0, Veron 0
Tanduay 67-Quinto 12, Cruz 11, Reyes 11, Sanga 11, Eguilos 6, Moralde 6, Santos 4, Cenal 2, Ibay 2, Sollano 2, Palma 0
Quarterscores: 21-28, 43-30, 65-53, 83-67
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Box Scores:
Cafe France-CEU 83-Calisaan 23, Desiderio 16, Ebondo 15, Casino 9, Gabriel 4, Jeruta 4, Arim 3, Faundo 3, Manlangit 3, Wamar 3, Aquino 0, Guinitaran 0, Veron 0
Tanduay 67-Quinto 12, Cruz 11, Reyes 11, Sanga 11, Eguilos 6, Moralde 6, Santos 4, Cenal 2, Ibay 2, Sollano 2, Palma 0
Quarterscores: 21-28, 43-30, 65-53, 83-67
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno