Steel Masters whip Wiz; Bakers score

MANILA, Philippines - RnW Pacific Pipes dominated PC Gilmore and cruised to a 59-48 victory to gain solo sixth while Café France came from behind to beat Cobra Energy Drink, 78-73, in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Far Eastern U gym yesterday.

Franz Delgado scored 12 points and Raymond Ilagan had 13 rebounds for the Steel Masters, who notched their second straight win and improved to 3-2.

The Wizards took their third straight loss.

Earlier, Café France rallied from 18 points down to turn back Cobra Energy Drink in a duel of winless squads.

The Bakers clamped down on defense in the second half to frustrate the Iron Men and notch their first win after three successive losses.

Café France, behind Mike Parala, Mark Guillen, Kris Lucernas and Chris Dumapig, held Cobra to just 25 percent shooting (10 of 40) in the second half.

Mac Montilla came away with 21 points, including back-to-back triples that shoved Café France to a 64-62 lead early in the fourth.

The Bakers never trailed from there, thwarting a late charge by the Iron Men, who reeled to their fourth straight defeat.

“We played a good defense today,” said Café France coach Edgar Macaraya.

The Iron Men took charge early with an up-tempo game and made six of their eight shots in the opening quarter, posting leads of 24-6 and 27-9.

Cobra still held a 48-32 lead early in the third on Josan Nimes’ trey but Café France went on a 26-11 run to get back into the game.