by Jonas Terrado
Games Thursday (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City)
12 noon – St. Clare vs McDavid
2 p.m. – Petron-Letran vs Go for Gold-CSB
4 p.m. – M. Pilipino vs Diliman-Gerry’s
Petron-Letran and St. Clare-Virtual Reality aim to bolster their quarterfinal aspirations in the Aspirants Group when they face separate rivals in the PBA D-League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Knights tackle with the Go for Gold-St. Benilde Scratchers at 2 p.m. while the Saints seek to end a two-game skid against lowly McDavid in the curtain raiser at 12 noon.
Marinerong Pilipino aims to forge a tie for fourth in the Foundation Group opposite Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill in the final game of the tripleheader at 4 p.m.
Petron and St. Clare sit in third and fourth in the Aspirants Group with records of 5-2 and 4-2.
Alvin Pasaol, who recently announced his decision to leave University of the East after three UAAP seasons, and Jerrick Balanza are among the key players coach Bonnie Tan hope to step up anew for the Knights.
But Petron is bracing for a tough challenge from Go for Gold, which won its last two matches after a 1-3 start.
Meanwhile, St. Clare is out to get back on winning track after a 4-0 start was followed by losses to Cignal-Ateneo (88-66) and Petron-Letran (91-90) behind Mohammad Pare and Junjie Hallare.
Marinerong Pilipino, on the other hand, goes into its match against Diliman hoping to tie idle Chadao-Far Eastern University for fourth in the Foundation bracket at 4-3.
