Tanduay Rhum Blazers. PBA IMAGES
SMARTING from its first loss, powerhouse Phoenix now sees every team as a threat in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
But that’s really how it should be, said Phoenix coach Eric Gonzales, after his fancied Accelerators got too confident in their last outing.
“I don’t want to call it arrogance or complacency, but if they will have that attitude, we’re in big trouble,” said Gonzales.
The Accelerators, though, vow to get their acts together against Tanduay Rhum as they go for a sixth win to regain the solo lead.
Game time is 6 p.m. at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Racal—which pulled off the upset over the Accelerators, 93-78—aims to follow up on the big win versus the cellar-dwelling Topstar Z.C. Mindanao at 4 p.m.
Both Tanduay and Racal hold 5-2 records for a share of the third spot.
“We have to play the game correctly,” said Gonzales, who’s banking on a loaded roster led by last conference’s MVP Mac Belo, Mike Tolomia and Ed Daquioag.
“If not, we’ll pay for it and we’ll lose the game. We need to give our best effort.”
Tanduay coach Lawrence Chongson ceded the favorite tag to the Accelerators, but expects his squad bannered by Gelo Alolino and Jaypee Belencion to double their effort.
“We know we’re not yet in the upper echelon of the teams here,” said Chongson. “Hopefully, we play up to the level of Phoenix.”