by Jonas Terrado
Games Thursday (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City)
12 noon – Batangas vs Go for Gold
2 p.m. – Cignal vs Petron
4 p.m. – Diliman College vs Metropac
Cignal-Ateneo and Petron-Letran clash for solo second in the Aspirants Group in the resumption of the PBA D-League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Blue Eagles and Knights, tied with idle Che’Lu Bar and Grill at 3-1, square off at 2 p.m. as part of a tripleheader that will mark the return of hostilities in the PBA’s developmental tournament after a nine-day break.
Struggling teams Go for Gold-St. Benilde and Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College, carrying identical 1-3 slates, seek crucial wins to stay within the top four race in their Foundation Cup tussle at 12 noon.
Metropac-San Beda (3-1) aims to move at solo second in the Foundation Group opposite upset-minded Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill (2-2) at 4 p.m.
Cignal-Ateneo will see action for the first time since crushing AMA Online Education, 111-81, last March 14 behind Ange Kouame and Thirdy Ravena.
Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin is also hoping to see BJ Andrade build on his 21-point output against AMA.
Petron-Letran downed FamilyMart-Enderun, 77-70, last March 26 behind Alvin Pasaol and Jerrick Balanza.
Renato Ular, Jeo Ambohot and Jeremiah Taladua will be among the players Knights coach Bonnie Tan hopes to step against the core of the two-time defending UAAP champions.
