MANILA, Philippines - B-Meg Derby Ace hopes to sustain its surge from the cellar to the middle of the pack as it shoots for its fourth straight victory against a tough Rain or Shine side in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Astrodome tonight.
The Llamados pulled the rug from under erstwhile leaders the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, 104-97, last Nov. 5, their third straight after a woeful 1-5 start in the tournament it ruled last year.
What made their surge impressive was that they racked up those victories sans key players Kerby Raymundo, Marc Pingris and Raffy Reavis, who are out due to various injuries.
Now with a 4-5 card and in joint fifth with Alaska and Meralco, Derby Ace tries to move a notch higher with a victory in their 7:30 p.m. encounter.
But the fourth-running Rain or Shine is also out to improve its 4-4 card although the Elasto Painters will have to do it without top player Sol Mercado, who is with Smart Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games.
Meanwhile, Air21 and Powerade, just a shade ahead of tailender Barako Bull (2-7) with identical 3-6 cards, square off in the 5 p.m. opener.
The Tigers have reactivated veteran Paolo Mendoza, who replaced Chico Lanete in the roster, giving the team added firepower.
Mercado fired 26 points, and came through with four rebounds, eight assists and a steal as he powered the Elasto Painters to a shock 110-107 win over league-leading San Miguel (8-2) last Nov. 7 before joining the national team in Guangzhou.