Rising Suns, Gems dispute 2nd berth

Game today (San Juan Arena)

3 p.m. – Cagayan Valley vs Cebuana Lhuillier

MANILA, Philippines - Cagayan Valley and Cebuana Lhuillier dispute the right to face Hapee in the finals in a sudden death today with the Rising Suns hoping to re-assert their might against the Gems at The Arena in San Juan City.

Gametime is at 3 p.m. with the Rising Suns wary of the Gems but confident of scoring a repeat of their 98-93 victory in Game 2 that forced a rubber match in their best-of-three semifinal series in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.

“It’s anybody’s ballgame,” said Cagayan coach Alvin Pua, who drew solid games from his mainstays, including Moala Tautuaa, last Monday.

Tautuaa finished with 26 points and had 13 rebounds in Game 2 and Pua said the Fil-Tongan’s dominance will be a big factor in the crucial match.

“We have to dominate the boards. Actually, Cebuana has a strong lineup but I hope Tautuaa will impose his will underneath,” said Pua.

The US-born Tautuaa said he is up to the task but needs the support of his teammates.

“We have a lot of good shooters around me and I want to expose that. By helping them they help me. We are a team that’s why we all wear the same jersey. But when it’s my time to score I score,” said Tautuaa, the league’s top draft pick overall.