Maynilad steaming hot vs Cafe

MANILA, Philippines - Behind a stinging defense and balance offensive, Maynilad pounced on Café France for a lopsided 106-74 victory Tuesday for its second straight win in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Lyceum of the Philippines University gym.

The Water Dragons needed just 20 minutes to put away their rival as Garbo Lanete scored 12 of his team-high 21 points in the second quarter. Jose Lim added 19 and David Marcelo had 10, nine rebounds and three blocks for Maynilad, which improved to 2-1 in Group B.

“FCA and Cebuana, they are the strongest teams in our group. But if we manage to win against them we’ll be assured of a spot in the second round of the playoffs,” Lim noted.

Non Mabayo scored 21 points and Leeward Lobaton added 13 for the Scorpions, who couldn’t keep pace due to poor shooting and their inability to defend well. Café France made just 30 of 88 attempts (34 percent) and picked up their third straight loss in as many games.

Jake Pascual scored all his eight points in the opening quarter to get Maynilad’s offense going and the Water Dragons held the Scorpions to 5 of 23 shooting for 28-13 lead.

PC Gilmore held off a fourth quarter rally by Pharex and eked out a 99-97 win to grab a share of the lead in Group A.

Allan Mangahas scored 20 points and Carlo Lastimosa added 15, including three clutch free throws for the Ave Relucio-owned PC Gilmore, which pull abreast with idle NLEX and Pharex.

PC Gilmore controlled the game majority of the way, shackling Pharex’s top gunners with a tough defensive play.

James Mangahas hit a triple to put Pharex within, 97-98, with 17.8 seconds left in the contest but Lastimosa made a split and the Batang Generix flubbed two three-point tries as time expired.