FRUITAS and Boracay Rum brace for a tough quarterfinal showdown against improved opposition in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup today at Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights.
The Shakers, with a twice-to-beat edge as incentive for finishing third in the eliminations, shoot for a semifinal berth against Big Chill at 4 p.m.
Also needing to win just once, the No. 4 Waves try to finish off the EA Regens earlier at 2 p.m.
“EA was a newly formed team the first time we faced them,” said Waves coach Lawrence Chongson.
“But it’s a totally different EA team that we see today. The potential of its manpower buildup and expensive acquisitions has surfaced.”
Waiting for the series winners are defending champion NLEX and Blackwater Sports, which automatically earned Final Four seats as bonus for finishing 1-2 in the eliminations.
The Regens recently acquired streak-shooting swingman Alex Nuyles from Big Chill in exchange for Jeckster Apinan.
The Shakers are looking for a repeat of their 83-75 triumph over the Superchargers last month where Carlo Lastimosa sparked a second-half fightback.
“We just have to play our assigned roles to the fullest,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison.
Just like the Shakers, the Waves mounted a late comeback in their 85-75 decision of the Regens in the eliminations.