By Jerome Lagunzad
Games Today
(Ynares Sports Arena)
2 p.m. – Gamboa Coffee Mix vs Akari
4 p.m. – Che’Lu Bar and Grill vs JRU
Akari and Gamboa Coffee Mix square off in what promises to be an entertaining showdown today as the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup action swings back to the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.
Tip off is at 2 p.m., with the winner earning the chance to stretch their winning streak to three and move up to third spot behind league-leading Centro Escolar University (2-0) and Zark’s Burgers (4-1).
Both squads will come in fresh from solid victories the last time out. The Soaring Falcons (3-1) defeated the Che’Lu Bar and Grill Revellers, 84-75, last Tuesday while the Coffee Lovers (2-1) made quick work of Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers, 93-76, the day before.
But as far as Akari coach Franz Pumaren is concerned, the Soaring Falcons still have plenty to work on. “We’ve been only together for a month and we’re still not in that great of a basketball shape,” he said.
Clashing in the main match at 4 p.m. are the Revellers (2-3) and the Heavy Bombers (1-2), both aching to stop a two-game bleeding and put their respective campaigns back on track.
A lion’s share of the spotlight, however, is expected to fall on the curtain-raiser, with the Coffee Lovers, powered by the solid core of NCRAA powerhouse St. Clare, out to gain another proof that they have what it takes against the country’s bigger programs like Adamson, a back-to-back semifinalist in the UAAP.
