Razorbacks, Giants seek semis slots

MANILA, Philippines — Jumbo Plastic and Hog’s Breath Cafe hope to advance to the Final Four for the first time as they try to dispose of two early favorites in the PBA D-League quarterfinals Tuesday.

The Giants take on last conference’s champion Blackwater Sports at 2 p.m., while the Razorbacks clash with Cagayan Valley at 4 p.m. in the Last 6 of the Aspirants Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena.

Both the Giants and the Razorbacks tote a twice-to-beat advantage as incentive for clinching the No. 3 and 4 spots with similar 10-3 records at the end of the elimination round.

Waiting for the quarterfinal winners are NLEX and Big Chill, the top two teams that jumped straight to the semifinals after finishing with 11-2 cards.

Jumbo coach Steven Tiu hopes his Giants will be in top shape even against the dangerous Elite, who survived elimination twice to claim the last quarterfinal slot.

“Complacency is something we have to work on,” said Tiu. The Razorbacks, the former cellar-dwellers who got off to a 7-0 start, are also bracing for a tight match against the Rising Suns.

“We know they play physical, so we have to be ready,” said Razorbacks coach Caloy Garcia.