Rising Suns eye 4th win vs Oilers today

ON A roll despite a retooled roster, Cagayan Valley tries to stay unbeaten against struggling newcomer Derulo Accelero in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup today at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

The Rising Suns go for a fourth straight win in the 4 p.m. match in a bid to sustain their best start since joining the league last year.

While Cagayan coaches said the Rising Suns’ teamwork remains far from perfect, ace guard John Pinto has been delivering the goods along with new recruits Kenneth Ighalo, Prince Caperal, Michael Mabulac and Don Trollano.

“With a lot of new players in the team, chemistry is still a concern,” said Rising Suns deputy coach Toto Dojillo. “Fortunately, our collegiate players are doing pretty well and giving us a big boost.”

Zambales M-Builders guns for a third win in four games against winless Arellano-Air 21 at 2 p.m.

Boracay Rum and Café France, both looking for a second triumph, kick off the three-game bill at 12 noon.

Last week, the Rising Suns grabbed the solo lead with a 92-75 blasting of Arellano-Air21.

And Pinto, who buried 25 points on an 8-of-12 shooting clip in that game, is expected to power the Rising Suns anew against a Derulo side vying to rebound from lopsided losses.

The Oilers debuted with a 73-79 loss to Zambales M- Builders, 73-79, but got whipped in their next two games by Boracay Rum (59-86) and Cebuana Lhuillier (60-88).

Coach Junel Mendiola, meanwhile, hopes his Builders can work on their defense after another narrow escape over Wangs Basketball, 76-74, more than a week ago.

“We played bad defense, but good thing we won,” said Mendiola, who’s relying on Joshua Saret, Mike Tolomia, Bryan Cruz, Roger Pogoy and John Alabanza.