by Jonas Terrado
Games Thursday (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City)
12 noon – Metropac vs M. Pilipino
2 p.m. – Batangas-EAC vs Petron-Letran
4 p.m. – Che’Lu vs AMA
Metropac-San Beda looks to stay in the hunt for a twice-to-beat advantage while Petron-Letran and Che’Lu Bar & Grill aim to boost their quarterfinal bids in the PBA D-League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Metropac tries to shrug off its double overtime loss to City of Valencia-San Sebastian two days earlier against a desperate Marinerong Pilipino in the 12 noon opener.
Petron, on the other hand, tackles Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College at 2 p.m. before Che’Lu battles AMA Online Education in the final game of the tripleheader at 4 p.m.
Though already assured of a place in the crossover quarters, Metropac is in danger of missing out at a twice-to-beat bonus after the aforementioned 96-92 defeat to Valencia at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
The Movers fell to third place at 6-2 to trail a half-game behind Foundation Group co-leaders Valencia and Centro Escolar University, two teams with identical 6-1 slates.
Movers coach Boyet Fernandez is hoping to see Donald Tankoua, James Canlas, Calvin Optana and Evan Nelle redeem themselves in their final elimination round assignment.
Marinerong Pilipino is desperate to win its final two games after dropping 3-4 due to last week’s loss to Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill.
Meanwhile, Petron-Letran aims to break its deadlock with Go for Gold-St. Benilde for fourth place in the Aspirants Group.
Alvin Pasaol, Jerrick Balanza and Larry Muyang try to help the Knights finish the elims at 6-3 against a Batangas-EAC side carrying a 2-7 slate.
Che’Lu, in sixth position at 4-3 after Monday’s upset of Ironcon-University of Santo Tomas, seeks to tie Go for Gold in the team standings behind Rey Suerte and new addition Gab Dagangon.
