Games Today (Trinity University of Asia Gym)
2p.m. – NLEX vs Boracay Rum
4p.m. – Hog’s Breath Café vs Café France
Boracay Rum coach Lawrence Chongson described their success against Cagayan Valley last Monday as a test of character for his team.
A bigger test awaits the Waves on Thursday when the face the NLEX Road Warriors and it’s interesting to find out whether Chris Banchero and Co. could survive the five-time champions.
“NLEX is a tough team. I don’t think we have an advantage over them. But I guarantee you guys, we’ll give them a good fight. Lalaban kami,” Chongson said.
The Boracay Rum-NLEX encounter is set at 2 p.m. at the Trinity University of Asia gym.
Banchero scored 22 points and new recruit Rudy Lingganay tallied 12 to help Boracay Rum rally from a 19-point deficit and beat the Rising Suns, 79-69, to open its campaign in the season-ending conference on a bright note.
The Fil-Italian guard and the rest of the Waves will have to play consistently to have a chance to beat Road Warriors, a team they have not beaten since the league started four years ago.
“[Boracay Rum] is a good team with a good coach. We can’t them for granted. We got to play good defense if want to win against them,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.
The Road Warriors started their bid for a sixth championship with a 102-84 blowout victory against defending champion Blackwater Sports on Tuesday.
Café France, meanwhile, will attempt to share the early lead with the winner of the Boracay Rum-NLEX match when it takes on Hog’s Breath Café in their scheduled 4 o’clock date.
“I think it’s about even for both teams term of match-ups. The key for us will be our ability to dominate the boards. If we can do that, we have good chance,” said Café France coach Egay Macaraya.
The Bakers are coming off a 90-73 win against Derulo Accelero on Monday while Hog’s Breath Café is looking to bounce back from a 73-81 loss against Big Chill on Tuesday.