D-League: Giants seek fifth victory vs Racal five

Jumbo Plastic tries to stay in the top three when it tackles another newcomer in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup today at JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.

A week after ripping MP Hotel, 94-57, the Giants are looking to flaunt its strength against Racal Motors in their bid for a fifth win in the 12 noon match.

“It’s important for us to win the games that we’re supposed to win,” said coach Stevenson Tiu, knowing that his Giants remain a heavy favorite despite injuries to some players and key team changes the past weeks.

AMA University and Bread Story, tied at 2-3, part ways in the second game at 2 p.m., while Cebuana Lhuillier also go for a third triumph versus MJM M-Builders at 4 p.m.

The Giants, sharing the third spot with idle Cafe France at 4-1, stand behind unbeaten teams Hapee (5-0) and Cagayan Valley (4-0).

And despite losing top performers Maclean Sabellina and Jan Colina to injuries, Brian Heruela to the PBA and Janus Lozada to another league, the Giants managed to hang tough with their second unit stepping up.

But Tiu remains wary of Racal, which may soon get its stride behind new coach Caloy Garcia.

“They may still have some issues chemistry-wise, but that should not be a problem for coach Caloy,” said Tiu.

The Giants hope to extend their winning streak to three with Marion Magat, Denice Villamor and Mark Cruz leading the charge.

Under Garcia, though, Racal scored a breakthrough win over MP Hotel, 74-65, to snap a three-game skid, before bowing to AMA University in a game that saw their late rally fall short, 83-76.  Jasmine W. Payo