Games Thursday
Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig
4 p.m. AMA Online Education vs Cafe France
6 p.m. Racal vs Tanduay
Racal came out of nowhere and now possesses the top spot in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
And today, the Tile Masters seek to put more pressure on fellow contenders when they go up against Tanduay at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
That fact is not lost on coach Caloy Garcia even after his team’s 90-88 squeaker over Phoenix where Philip Paniamogan drilled in the game-winning three to save the day.
“Tanduay’s win over CaféFrance put everyone on the same place, so everybody still has a chance to be 1 or 2,” Garcia said. “But if we win one of the next two games, I believe may chance pa rin naman kami sa top 2.”
A Racal win would also boost the Rhum Masters’ chances in the race for the top two spots, putting a lot at stake when they play each other at 6 p.m.
Tanduay coach Lawrence Chongson also knows that, and despite his four-game winning streak believes the journey gets harder from this point.
“It gets tougher. Markado na rin nila kami with our new acquisition,” he said after unleashing Kevin Ferrer to help Tanduay in the final stretch.
It’s not the only important battle on Thursday as Cafe France also seeks to put itself back in the conversation for the top two, while AMA Online Education plays for its survival at 4 p.m.
A loss for the Titans will complete the cast for this conference’s semifinals, with the top four teams advancing and the top two enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage.
The Bakers would like to do just that after their sorry 75-74 defeat last Monday.