Games Today Ynares Arena (Pasig City)
10 a.m. – MP Hotel vs Tanduay Light
12 nn. – Hapee vs Wangs Basketball
2 p.m. – MJM Builders vs Café France
Well rested Hapee looks to extend its winning streak to six games when it faces struggling Wang’s Basketball on Thursday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
The 12 noon encounter will be the Fresh Fighters’ first game after a 13-day break. But Coach Ronnie Magsanoc doesn’t seem worried about the long sabbatical.
“Most of the guys are fresh from stints with their collegiate teams so I believe they’re in game shape,” said Magsanoc, his left leg wrapped with a brace after injuring it while playing with his fellow legends.
“I thought the break enabled us to work on our chemistry. Finally, we held practice with a complete team. So instead of worrying about the negative effects of the long break we’re looking at the positive side.”
Magsanoc said his troops were eager to play last Monday but their scheduled game against Racal Motors has been cancelled along with two other match-ups due to Typhoon Ruby.
“There are things that are beyond our control. So we just have to move on and stay positive,” Magsanoc said.
Hapee (5-0) is currently tied with at idle Cagayan Valley (5-0) but a win against Wangs Basketball (1-3) will enable the Fresh Fighters to assume the solo lead and bolster their bid for an outright semifinal berth.
The Couriers, who are coming off a 77-73 overtime loss against Tanduay last Thursday, are trying to avoid losing three in a row to hopefully stay in the hunt for a quarterfinal spot.
In the other games, MP Hotel (1-5) takes on Tanduay Light (2-4) at 10 o’clock while MJM Builders (1-5) battles Café France (4-1) at 2 p.m.
The Rhum Masters are seeking their second straight win to improve on their chances of making it to the next level. But they will be in for a tough challenge against the hard-nosed Warriors, who are out to snap a four-game skid.
The well-rested Bakers, on the other hand, are seeking a follow up to their 66-59 win against the Rhum Masters last Nov. 27 to galvanize their position in the Top Four. Café France is still in contention for an outright semifinal berth by Bakers coach Egay Macaraya said “a twice to beat advantage in the quarterfinals wouldn’t be bad.”