MANILA, Philippines - Cebuana Lhuillier and FCA Cultivators clash today in a duel of unbeaten teams with the winner joining fancied Cobra Energy Drink in the Group B lead in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup which shifts to San Juan gym.
The Gems romped away with a big win over the Café France side last week but are expected to face stiff challenge from the Cultivators in their 4 p.m. showdown.
RnW Pacific Pipes and NLEX collide in a Group A match at 2 p.m. with both teams out to bounce back from a pair of defeats.
RnW blew its chance to gain a share of the lead as it fell to Black Water Perfume, 69-72, last week to tie its tormentor at 1-1 while the Road Warriors also bowed to Group A leader Pharex Bidang Generix, 74-79.
Meanwhile, Rudy Lingganay scored 14 of his game-high 23 points in the second half as Max Bond Super Glue routed Café France, 83-62, last Tuesday’s matches at the Adamson U gym.
The 5-foot-9 Lingganay, who played for the KL Dragons in the Asean Basketball League last season, shot 10 for 14 from the field and teamed up with Reil Cervantes in the third quarter as the Sumos pulled away from the Scorpions to post their first win in two starts.
Cervantes turned in a double-double job of 16 points and 12 rebounds while Junjun Cabatu and Roel Hugnatan added 10 points apiece.
In Group A play, Carlo Lastimosa made a crucial steal then hit a triple as PC Gilmore also barged into the win column by beating Freego Jeans, 81-72.
Lastimosa finished with 20 points, Allan Mangahas scored 16 points and Jett Vidal added 11 points for Ave Relucio-owned PC Gilmore, who evened its card to 1-1.
Eric Camson and Julius Colina each scored 15 points for the Falcons, who fell to 0-2.