CAFE France shoots for a fourth straight victory when it collides with dangerous Tanduay Rhum in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Bakers renew their rivalry with the Rhum Masters in the 4 p.m. clash, after Phoenix Petroleum tackles Blustar Detergent.
The Accelerators are also shooting for a fourth straight victory against a Blustar team bannered by members of Asean Basketball League squad KL Dragons.
The Dragons dropped their first two games but the Accelerators aren’t expected to take it easy as they parade stars Mac Belo and RR Pogoy of collegiate champion Far Eastern U against the Malaysians.
The Bakers and Rhum Masters played three times in the Aspirants’ Cup with Cafe France winning twice to reach the finals. But Rhum Masters coach Lawrence Chongson remains confident that his team has the Bakers’ number.
“We are the only team that beat them in the elimination round and maybe we can do it again this time,” said Chongson, whose squad ended Cafe France’s five-game run to start the Aspirants’ Cup.
Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya said his squad is looking forward to another tough test against one of the league’s most formidable teams.
“We all know that Tanduay is one of the teams to beat in the D-League,” said Macaraya. “What’s important is that we play well and we can adjust during the game.”