Giants face R. Warriors; Hog’s tests NU-BDO

JUMBO Plastic tests its worth against former champion NLEX in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup today at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Although the Road Warriors claim their holiday hangover remains a concern, Jumbo coach Steve Tiu said picking up a ninth win in 11 games in the 12 noon match won’t be easy for his Giants, who are running second behind Big Chill (10-1).

“Sila ang sukatan (They’re the yardstick),” Tiu said of the Road Warriors. “Hopefully we can sustain our run.”

The Road Warriors, who tote a 5-1 record, needed a huge fourth quarter surge to turn back newcomer Wangs Basketball, 96-80, last Tuesday.

“Hopefully the vacation is over right now in their minds,” NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez said of his wards. “We’re not really in shape [last game]. We have to be ready again. If we play the way we did against Wangs, we’ll have a problem with Jumbo.”

In other games, Hog’s Breath Cafe aims to stop its skid versus National University-Banco de Oro at 2 p.m., while Blackwater Sports also tries to get back on track against Arellano-Air21 at 4 p.m.

Fernandez said the Road Warriors need to step up their game against the Giants, currently the top defensive team who hold their opponents to an average of 68 points.