RCPI Negros zeroes in on final berth vs Davao

RCPI Negros targets another finals stint when it clashes with Professional Davao at 6 p.m. today in their MBA First Conference knockout semifinal at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City.

Talent wise, the Slashers and the Eagles are almost even, but the Slashers have been installed the favorites owing to their home court advantage.

The Slashers downed the Eagles, 95-80, in their first collision on April 11 at the same venue, but the Eagles exacted revenge, 87-77, when they met anew on April 27 at the Mindanao Polytechnic Gym.

The Slashers will likely draw a huge following tonight at the USLS Coliseum as they eye their fourth championship appearance in the five-year-old league.

John Ferriols, the 1998 inaugurals MVP, will again lead the Slashers, who have adapted well to the coaching system of Jojo Villapando.

Supporting Ferriols are Reynel Hugnatan, who is being bothered by tendonitis, and new recruits Jose Francisco, Tyrone Bautista and Carlo Espiritu.

The Slashers, the reigning Southern Conference champion, also depend on their backcourt tandem of Dennis Madrid and Dino Aldeguer, both of whom can run plays and score at the same time.

Blitz 3 specialist Ruben dela Rosa and Patrick Benedicto can also be depended upon clutch time by Villapando.

"We are ready as we can be," said Slashers general manager Babes Alvarez. "The boys are determined to bring joy to the Negrenses."