CAN Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda University hack it anew, this time against rival Wangs Basketball @27 Striker—Letran?
That will be known when the Lions tangle with the Knights today in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda will go into the 4 p.m. match against the reigning three-time NCAA titlist on a high, having scored a pulsating 92-89 victory over defending champion EcoOil-La Salle six days ago that improved its mark to 1-1.
Centro Escolar University and AMA Online seek a breakthrough win when they collide in the curtain-raiser at 2 o’clock.
Lions coach Yuri Escuela is not one to tell his troops to look past the Knights.
“Kailangan handa kami sa defending NCAA champion (Letran),” Escueta said. “We have utmost respect for them, they’re the three-peat NCAA champion for a reason. It’s a rivalry so let’s see.”
The likes of Jacob Cortez, Yukien Andrada, Peter Alfaro, and JV Gallego will be counted upon by Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda.
Wangs Basketball @27 Striker—Letran will usher in a new era, with new tactician Rensy Bajar, who replaced Bonnie Tan, making his coaching debut.
The Knights will bank on Kurt Reyson and Kobe Monje.
“Most of our players are first timers in the PBA D-League. They were overwhelmed not only being on TV but also playing against the defending champs,” Scorpions strategist Jeff Perlas said after his team absorbed a 62-84 drubbing at the hands of the Green Archers last April 27.
“I have to do a better job of preparing them, not just physically but mentally as well.”
Jerome Santos, Victor Balogun, and Ron Rei Tolentino will carry the fight for CEU.
“Baka i-activate na naming iyong key players naming and we need to adjust our defense especially vs CEU na may import,” Titans coach Mark Herrera said. “We need gang rebounding against them.”
AMA Online will rely on Earl Ceniza, Reed Baclig and Cian Golloso in its bid to rebound from a 57-101 shellacking handed by Perpetual Help last Thursday.
