MANILA, Philippines — Blackwater Sports tries to bounce back from an upset loss last week and stay in the top four of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup when it tangles with Boracay Rum Monday at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
The defending champion Elite, who lost to Cagayan Valley by just a basket, shoot for a fourth victory against the Waves at 10 a.m.
Cagayan Valley, tied with Boracay at 3-4, and Cafe France (2-4) collide at 12 noon.
“We really need to rediscover our desire to win ballgames before even worrying about our opponent,” said Boracay Rum coach Lawrence Chongson. “If we can do that, then probably our chance will get better.”
Hog’s Breath Cafe and Derulo Accelero, both virtually out of contention, cap the triple-header when they clash at 2 p.m.
The top two teams at the end of the eliminations will jump straight to the Final Four, while the third- and fourth-ranked squads will earn a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals.
“We don’t want to be thinking of any pressure,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac, who is banking on Reil Cervantes, Jericho Cruz and Kevin Ferrer. “We want to play a good game.”
While the Elite try to shake off the sorry loss, the Rising Suns hope to make the most out of that 93-91 upset of Blackwater last Monday.
Lord Casajeros (23 points and 10 rebounds) and Kenneth Ighalo (21 points and 10 boards) are coming off their best games yet for the Rising Suns, who are locked in a three-way tie for fifth with the Waves and idle Big Chill.