D-LEAGUE: CAGAYAN SEEKS SHARE OF LEAD
The Cagayan Valley Rising Suns have been doing well even without coach Alvin Pua the last two games.
Still without a loss in eight games, they hope to keep the winning streak going as they attempt to match the league’s best record when they face the Tanduay Light Rhum Masters on Thursday in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.
Frontrunner Hapee holds the league’s best record with its 9-0 mark.
“We want to get to Hapee’s game securing the Top 2 spot. It’s nice to have a showdown between two unbeaten teams,” said Abel Galliguez, who came off the bench and scored 11 of his game-high 20 points on Monday to lead the Rising Suns to an 89-78 win over the AMA University Titans.
The streak-shooting guard confessed the team is excited to play against the Fresh Fighters, who are taking a well-deserved rest.
The keenly awaited showdown between the Fresh Fighters and the Rising Suns – the league’s only two unbeaten teams – is on Jan. 22. Both teams have clinched the two outright semifinal berths up for grabs.
For the third straight game, the Rising Suns will be without Pua, who will be serving the last of his three-game suspension for physically contacting a couple of game officials.
“We definitely missed [coach] Alvin. But I think our character … we wanna play as a team regardless who’s coaching us and who’s leading us,” Galliguez said.
The Rhums Masters (4-5) are going into the game as underdogs but their motivation to bounce back from Monday’s 68-59 loss to Jumbo Plastic could make a difference.
In the other games, Café France tests the mettle of Cebuana Lhuillier in their scheduled 2 p.m. matchup while Bread Story-LPU and Wangs Basketball face each other in the first game at 12 noon.
Coming off a 20-day holiday break, the Bakers are seeking an all-important win to clinch the no. 3 spot.
“This is a very important game for us. For the first the first time the franchise has a chance to earn a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs. Although I’m afraid some of the guys are not yet in game shape because of the long break. Hopefully, their motivation to win will translate into positive results,” said Café France coach Egay Macaraya.
The Gems, who are also returning from a long vacation (23 days), are seeking a third straight win to enhance their chances of finishing in the Top 4 at the end of the elimination round.
The third and fourth placed teams after the single round eliminations will advance to the quarterfinals with a twice-to-beat advantage. The bottom six teams will be eliminated. (DBC)
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