Games Today (JCSGO Gym, Cubao)
2 p.m. – AMA Online vs Batangas-EAC
4 p.m. – Gamboa Coffee Mix vs JRU
Gamboa Coffee Mix guns for its third straight win over Jose Rizal University at 4 p.m. today in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.
Clashing in the opener at 2 p.m. are AMA Online Education and Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College, teams still looking for their first win.
Reinforcements are coming in the way for the Titans, who have secured the services of Far Eastern University standout Arvin Tolentino, University of the Philippines guard Kyles Lao and ex-Letran stalwart Mac Andaya last week.
That should pose more problems for the struggling Generals, who have dropped their first three matches by an average margin of 24.6 points.
Gamboa Coffee Mix has showed it has what it takes to compete – and get the job done – behind the core of NCRAA powerhouse St. Clare.
Lightning-quick Fil-Am guard Trevis Jackson is on a tear in the Coffee Lovers’ mini-run, coming through with 29.5 points per game while getting solid contributions from top big man Aris Dionisio and Malian center Mohammed Pare.
Gamboa Coffee Mix coach Jinino Manansala, however, is craving for more.
“Every game, dapat ibigay namin ‘yung best namin,” he said.
That’s the same mindset that JRU’s rookie coach Gio Lasquety wants to see from the Heavy Bombers, who were sent crashing back to earth by Perpetual Help Altas, 88-72, last week.
While former pro Jeckster Apinan has been a consistent performer so far, the likes of guard Paolo Pontejos, Jed Mendoza, Ervin Grospe and Mark dela Virgen should step up if JRU intends to take care of its business.