WILL a heart-rending loss the last time out work wonders for defending champion EcoOil-La Salle?
That will be known when the Green Archers take on Philippine Sports Performance today in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The match is set at 4 p.m. after Perpetual Help seeks the early solo lead when it faces debuting AMA Online in the curtain-raiser at 2 o’clock.
EcoOil-La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario, calling the shots for the team in lieu of coach Topex Robinson who is in the United States for a scouting trip, insisted his charges are still learning the ropes.
“It’s about building good habits and knowing their roles. We have young players and nangangapa pa sila,” Nazario said, whose squad absorbed an 89-92 setback at the hands of Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda University two days ago.
“We know that our veteran core will be there to support,” he added.
Still without brothers Michael and Ben Phillips who are with the Gilas Pilipinas national team training pool, the Taft-based crew will rely on Evan Nelle, Mark Nonoy and Kevin Quiambao to improve its 1-1 mark.
Like their foes, the Gymers are coming off an 82-93 defeat to the Altas last Tuesday that dropped them to 1-1.
“Nagbui-build pa rin kami ng chemistry. Nasa adjustment period pa rin kami so kailangan tuloy lang kami sa goal na mabigyan ng chance, lalo ng playing time, iyong mga ibang players,” PSP strategist John Paolo Lao said.
The Gymers will pin their hopes on Jayvee Dela Cruz and former pro Val Acuña.
“Ang mindset namin ito is to win every game,” Altas tactician Myk Saguiguit said. “Ang goal namin kada salang namin kasi preparation namin ito for NCAA Season 99.”
Arthur Roque, Carlo Ferreras, Mark Omega, Cyrus Nitura and skipper Jielo Razon will be counted upon by Perpetual in its bid to go 2-0.
The Titans are raring to plunge back to action with a week-long breather before their first game this conference as one of the developmental league’s mainstays.
