The Slashers shackled LBC top gunner Alex Compton the first time they met and went on to fashion out a 90-79 victory before a boisterous crowd at the University of St. La Salle Gym crowd in Bacolod City last June 20.
But the proverbial homecourt advantage is expected to swing to the Blades this time although the Slashers have vowed to frustrate their rivals in their bid to post their 10th victory in 13 games.
However, LBC Batangas is on a stirring four-game run and the fired-up Blades are out to improve their 7-2 slate heading into the crucial phase of the elims.
"We are excited to play Negros in our return match (today) and we’re looking forward to getting back at them," said LBC Batangas coach Nash Racela.
Compton remains the marked man for the Blades although Romel Adducul, Eddie Laure, Stephen Antonio and Peter Martin will be there to provide the firepower.
Meanwhile, FedEx Laguna hopes to get back on track following Friday’s 100-105 defeat to last year's champion Andok’s San Juan as it tackles Davao at 3 p.m. in their first match this year.
Despite the loss, the Lakers remained in fifth spot with a 4-6 slate with the Nueva Ecija Patriots at 2-7, the Eagles at 2-8 and the Socsargen Marlins at 2-9. -- Joey Villar