Excelroof, Cossack eye No. 4

MANILA, Philippines - Co-leaders Excelroof and Cossack Blue try to extend their win run to four when they take on separate rivals today in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Cossack Spirits hope to ride the momentum of their shock 91-90 overtime victory over sister team and title favorite Cobra Energy Drink last Saturday as they collide with the Ani-FCA Cultivators in the 4 p.m. encounter.

James Martinez, fully recovered from an ACL injury, sizzled for 24 points the last time and is again expected to spearhead Cossack’s bid for the solo leadership in the season-opening tournament.

Other players to watch for the Spirits are veteran Earn Saguindel, Jorel Canizares and one-time San Beda star JR Taganas.

Despite dropping their first three games, the Cultivators remain a threat on a team built around veterans James Sena, Christian Luanzon and Neil Pascual.

The 25ers, meanwhile, are coming off an 83-75 win over AddMix. But the rigors of playing in a couple of tournaments, including the just-concluded Ched Games, might have taken their toll on the San Sebastian College-backed team as they face the Cobra side in the 2 p.m. opener.

For the second straight game, Jimbo Aquino led Excelroof with 21 points despite converting only four of 11 tries from the field while Ian Sangalang finished with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds.