Big Chill eyes victory No. 4 versus C. Lhuillier
BIG Chill expects another explosive outing from rookie Juneric Baloria when it tries to stay unbeaten against Cebuana Lhuillier in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup today at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
The Superchargers go for a fourth straight triumph in the 2 p.m. match just a week after Baloria’s strong debut in their upset win over last conference’s champion Blackwater Sports.
“He’s a very big addition to the team,” Big Chill coach Robert Sison said of Baloria, who won this season’s NCAA Rookie of the Year.
NLEX, with its core from San Beda still giddy from clinching a fourth straight NCAA title over Letran last Saturday, starts its campaign against Arellano-Air 21 at 12 noon.
Cafe France seeks a third triumph against winless Derulo Accelero in the last match of the three-game bill at 4 p.m.
As in the NCAA, Baloria made a quick impression as he buried a game-high 22 points in the Superchargers’ stunning win over the Elite, 90-83, last Tuesday.
And Sison believes his team’s 3-0 start was a result of hard work as Janus Lozada, Reil Cervantes and Khasim Mirza have also delivered for the Superchargers.
“We worked very hard on those three wins and it’s paying off at this point,” said Sison.
Cafe France, in the middle of the pack at 2-2, also aims to follow up on its surprise win over a Boracay Rum side that banners celebrated Fil-Italian guard Chris Banchero.
The Bakers pulled off the stunning 84-80 win despite losing key cogs Chris Exciminiano and Eliud Poligrates to the pros last week as Josan Nimes took over with a 33-point performance.
“We just have to be prepared all the time,” said Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya.
The San Beda players led by Finals MVP Art dela Cruz hoped to bring NLEX back to the top even as the four-time champion goes school-based for the first time.
Also suiting up for the Road Warriors are Baser Amer, Ola Adeogun and holdovers Kevin Alas and Matt Ganuelas, while Boyet Fernandez returns as head coach.
