Games Monday
(JCSGO Gym, Cubao)
3 p.m. – Batangas vs Tanduay
5 p.m. – CafeFrance vs AMA
Eyeing to secure a quarterfinals spot, CafeFrance stakes its four-game winning run against AMA Online Education Monday in the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
At 5-1, the Bakers want nothing but to formalize their entry to the playoffs and give themselves a chance for that elusive top two spots which come with an automatic semis berth.
And for coach Egay Macaraya, he’s hopeful that his boys, led by Paul Desiderio, Michael Calisaan, and Rod Ebondo, are motivated despite the 11-day layoff as Cafe France seeks to limit the high-scoring Titans duo of Jeron Teng and Juami Tiongson.
“Nag-focus kami sa individual defense. Kailangan namin mabantayan yung scorers nila,” he said.
AMA, meanwhile, is aching to bounce back from its shock 98-93 loss to Wangs Basketball last Monday as it dropped to a precarious 5-3 card.
“We lacked the energy and it’s definitely a learning experience for us. Sayang, but we’ll be better for our next game,” said Teng.
A win for the Titans on their final eliminations assignment could also secure them a quarterfinal seat, but a loss would put them in danger of falling to the fifth and six-seeds, or worse, out of the playoffs.
Tip off is at 5 p.m., following the 3 p.m. duel between Batangas and Tanduay.
The Batangueños are leaning on their back-to-back victories, with the most recent being their 92-68 rout of Blustar last Tuesday, as they kept themselves in the hunt of a playoff spot with their 3-4 slate.
Though coach Eric Gonzales isn’t really setting the bar high for his wards, he’s elated with what he’s seeing and is hopeful that Batangas can sustain its good showing when it tackles the Rhum Masters.