Taguig, Laguna seek semis slots

MANILA, Philippines - Hobe Bihon-Taguig and Treston Laguna try to clinch the first two semis berths when they collide against separate rivals at the start of the quarterfinal round of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) today at the Cong. Jun Duenas gym in Signal Village, Taguig City.

The Taguig cagers of Mayor Laarni Cayetano collide with the Ascof Lagundi Cough Busters at 4 p.m. right after the 2 p.m. showdown between the Laguna Stallions and the Cobra Energy Drink Ironmen in the tournament organized by the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas.

Both Taguig and Laguna need just to beat their rivals once to advance into the Final Four after finishing third and fourth, respectively, at the end of the 9-leg series that earned them twice-to-beat privileges.

M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu and Misamis Oriental, the top two finishers, will later make their quarterfinal debuts against MP Gensan and Ani-FCA, respectively.

Lou Gatumbato, Eric dela Cuesta, Ariel de Castro, Harold Sta. Cruz and newly acquired Christian Coronel are expected to be at the forefront of Taguig’s assault against the Cough Busters who will be bannered by Rob Labagala, Edwin Asoro, Sean Co and Raymund Aguilar.

Laguna, on the other hand, will be spearheaded by Ricky Ricafuente, Glenn Bolocon, Leo Losentes and veteran big men Marlon Legaspi and Francis Mercado against the young Cobra cagers.

Athleticism will be Cobra’s main weapon as it boasts of pro-bound players like Elmer Espiritu, Pari Llagas, Rudy Lingganay and Val Acuna.

The Stallions swept the Ironmen in two times they met, including a miraculous buzzer-beating triple by Ricafuente in General Santos City that denied Cobra of completing a three-game sweep of the elims.