D-League: Hapee seeks clincher vs Cafe France

A RESURGENT Hapee squad tries to cap its remarkable rise from fourth seed to champion in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Monday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Still surprised at how far they have gone, the Fresh Fighters hope to finish off Cafe France in Game 2 of their best-of-three series at 3 p.m.

“I think we deserve to win because of all the challenges we went through,” said Hapee stalwart Troy Rosario.

But the Fresh Fighters will also have to guard against overconfidence versus the No. 2 Bakers, who are out to square the series with a better defensive game.

“We’re just one step ahead of them, there’s still a lot of work to be done,” said Hapee coach Ronnie Magsanoc.

Unlike in their title romp in the previous conference, the Fresh Fighters overcame gruelling do-or-die matches in the last two rounds after a 2-3 start to the eliminations.

Magsanoc expects his Fresh Fighters to be ready for more challenges even after a convincing 83-72 Game 1 triumph anchored on Rosario, Scottie Thompson, Baser Amer and Chris Newsome.

“They’re a very good team and well coached,” Magsanoc said of the No. 2 Bakers.

Aside from executing their game plan, Cafe France mentor Egay Macaraya wants his Bakers to will themselves to win.

“Hopefully, their motivation and determination to even the series will bring out the best in them in Game 2,” said Macaraya.

Maverick Ahanmisi and Eloy Poligrates, the two guards vying to rebound from a dismal Game 1 shooting, will try to lead the Bakers anew along with Mon Abundo, Rodrigue Ebondo and Samboy de Leon.