Games today (Blue Eagle Gym)
2 p.m. – EA Regen vs Boracay Rum
4 p.m. – Big Chill vs Fruitas
MANILA, Philippines - Boracay Rum and Fruitas take on separate rivals today, looking for victories and spots in the semifinal round of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Blue Eagle gym inside the Ateneo campus.
Armed with twice-to-beat edges, the Waves and the Shakers try to finish off the EA Regen and Big Chill sides, respectively, and join outright semifinalists NLEX Road Warriors and Blackwater Sports elite in the next round.
Boracay battles EA Regen at 2 p.m., hoping to duplicate its 85-75 victory in their first meeting while Fruitas tangles with corporate rival Big Chill at 4 p.m., out to score a repeat of its 83-75 win in the elims.
Despite its previous win and a twice-to-beat advantage, Boracay Rum remains wary of EA Regen.
“EA Regen is a totally different team now. It has shown the potential of its manpower buildup and expensive acquisitions,†said Boracay Rum coach Lawrence Chongson, referring to EA Regen’s talented tandem of Ian Sanggalang and Raymund Almazan.
“But we’ll be ready for them. We’ll just relax, stay loose, have fun and enjoy playing against this team,†said Chongson.
Fruitas coach Nash Racela also braces for a grind out game against Big Chill.
“Big Chill is a dangerous team especially after the trade,†said Racela referring to power forward Jeckster Apinan, who was acquired by the Superchargers after being released by EA Regen.
“So our mindset should be to try and finish the series on Tuesday (today). Learn from our previous games and come out better in the playoffs,†added Racela.
Big Chill coach Robert Sison readily admitted his team is in a tough situation and the fact that they haven’t won against Fruitas makes their goal all the more tougher.
“We just have to work the hardest that we can and give it our best shot. Because no matter how you look at this playoff series, every game is a no tomorrow ballgame for us if we lose,†said Sison.