CAFE France seeks an outright Final Four spot against a determined Jumbo Plastic side Monday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Filoil V Arena in San Juan.
“This will be a tough game,” said Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya. “Jumbo is still in contention and needs to win as badly as we do.”
The Bakers set out for a seventh victory in nine games at 10 a.m. against the 3-3 Giants, who are vying to stay in the quarterfinal hunt.
Cebuana Lhuillier, which clinched the first Final Four slot after staying unbeaten in seven games, tackles resurgent Hapee in the second game at 12 noon.
The top two teams at the end of the eliminations get automatic Final Four slots while the next four will fight for the remaining semifinal berths in the quarterfinal round.
“The players are well aware that the prospects in this conference looks good and they are excited about it,” Macaraya said of the second-running Bakers, who are playing their best conference yet behind guards Samboy de Leon and Maverick Ahanmisi.
Although the Gems are already assured of the No. 1 spot, Cebuana coach Boycie Zamar still doesn’t want his players to take it easy in their remaining elimination games.
“Our last two games will be the real test for us,” said Zamar. “These games will allow us to determine the character of our team as we prepare for the playoffs.”
The Gems have been clicking with Fil-Tongan center Moala Tautuua and guard Simon Enciso at the helm. They strengthened their lineup with the addition of shooter Roider Cabrera and big man Arnold Van Opstal.