Games Today
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)
2 p.m. – Mindanao vs Tanduay
4 p.m. – CafeFrance vs UP – QRS /Jam
It’s the first big match-up in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup as two undefeated teams in CafeFrance and UP – QRS/Jam Liner battle each other to keep in step with the leadership of the tournament today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The two teams have long been considered as the teams to watch in the tournament and so far, they haven’t disappointed.
The reigning Foundation Cup champions in the Bakers have blown out opponents left and right to start their campaign and they hop to add the Maroons in that growing list of victims all thanks to the stellar performances from the boys out of Centro Escolar University.
But coach Egay Macaraya knows that it will be far easier said than done as he believes that this will be the team’s first acid test in the tournament.
“Hindi pa talaga nasusubukan ang CafeFrance and I think itong UP, dito natin makikita kung asan kami,” said Macaraya.
“They’re a good mix of veterans and rookies. They have a very strong line-up, we have to be careful,” he added.
For the Bakers to be successful, they’d have to contain the likes of Kevin Ferrer, Juneric Baloria and Paul Desiderio as the three have been playing well for the Maroons so far in their two games.
But for head coach Bert dela Rosa, it has been their defense which should be credited for the impressive start.
“Di pa 100-yung pinapakita ng team, pero 80-percent nagbe-blend na yung mga bago sa team. Yung depensa namin, yun ang nape-perfect na nila,” said dela Rosa.
In the first game, it’s a battle of two winless teams as Tanduay Light takes on newcomer Mindanao in a match between two teams at the cellar.