Cafe France and Jumbo Plastic expect much improved rivals as they try to complete the Final Four cast in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup today.
“Their intensity will be different,” noted Giants coach Stevenson Tiu.
The third-ranked Bakers clash with Bread Story-Lyceum at 2 p.m., while the fourth-seeded Giants battle the streaking Cebuana Lhuillier at 4 p.m. in the quarterfinal showdown at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Toting a twice-to-beat advantage, both the Bakers and the Giants only need to win once to join No. 1 Cagayan Valley and second-seeded Hapee in the semifinals.
The Giants narrowly edged the Gems in their lone elimination encounter, 63-61, so Tiu wants his team to play consistently to avoid an upset.
“We have to work especially on defense, since we have a tendency to relax when we have the lead,” said Tiu as the Giants try to snap the Gems’ three-game winning streak.
Cebuana coach Boycie Zamar said even if some of the Giants’ standouts had been struggling due to recent injuries, other players had stepped up.
Cafe France mentor Egay Macaraya hopes the Bakers, bannered by Maverick Ahanmisi and Rodrigue Ebondo, would sustain their strong play after posting their best elimination record yet at 9-2.