EXTENDING its winning run and gaining the solo lead should be Wangs Basketball @26-Letran’s main aim but that will be easier said than done against an EcoOil-La Salle side raring to redeem itself from a stunning loss the last time out.
The Knights’ resolve will be tested anew when they take on the Green Archers today in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The match is set at 1 p.m. after Marinerong Pilipino tries to gain a playoffs berth when it tangles with winless AMA Online in the curtain-raiser at 11 a.m.
Apex Fuel-San Sebastian College also seeks a fourth straight win and a spot in the playoffs when it battles Centro Escolar University at 3 o’clock.
Wangs Basketball @26-Letran, coming off an 11-day break, will bank on Louie Sangalang, Brent Paraiso, King Caralipio, and Pao Javillonar in its bid to score a fitting follow-up to its 70-64 decision over the Skippers last July 15 and hike its 3-0 mark.
EcoOil-La Salle absorbed a 51-73 defeat at the hands of the Golden Stags five days ago.
With La Salle carrying a 2-2 card for fifth, Archers coach Derrick Pumaren is hoping his wards will take to heart the lessons learned in their sorry setback.
“We need to learn from this, that we have to be cautious and take care of the basketball every time,” Pumaren said. “If we don’t, these losses will happen.”
The likes of Michael Phillips, Penny Estacio, and CJ Austria will be counted upon by EcoOil-La Salle to deliver.
Marinerong Pilipino dropped a 71-76 loss to Adalem Construction-St. Clare last Tuesday and will now have to make do without gunner Jollo Go, who signed up with Blackwater.
“Mabigat iyong pagkawala ni Jollo sa amin, pero kailangan lang naming ibigay iyong best effort palagi,” Skippers tactician Yong Garcia said.
Juan Gomez de Liaño, Brian Lacap and Paolo Hernandez will lead Marinerong Pilipino’s attempt to improve its 3-1 record.
The Kings have lost all their four games in the season-opening tourney, including a 53-93 beatdown at the hands of Apex Fuel-San Sebastian last Tuesday.
Stags strategist Egay Macaraya said his team’s defensive effort will spell the big difference against the Scorpions.
“Importante para sa amin to step up together on the defensive end sa mga susunod naming laro,” Macaraya said.
Holding a 3-1 slate tied with the Skippers, Apex Fuel-San Sebastian will lean on Ichie Altamirano, Romel Calahat, and Raymart Escobido.
CEU coach Chico Manabat gushed on the Scorpions’ grit typified by their 86-69 rout of Builders Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas seven days ago that moved them to 2-2.
“Ang gusto ko sa team ko, kahit bata sila, lumalaban silang lahat. Ayaw nilang maging kulelat,” he said.
Franz Diaz, Lenard Santiago, and Jerome Santos will carry the fight for CEU.
