Racal, Phoenix try to arrange PBA D-League rematch today

ARMED with a twice-to-beat advantage, Racal and Phoenix seek to arrange a finals rematch when they clash with separate rivals in the semifinals of the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup today at Strike Gym in Bacoor, Cavite.

The Tile Masters go up against the Tanduay Rhum Masters at 4 p.m. before the Accelerators battle the Cafe France Bakers at 6 p.m. in the rematch of the finals of the Aspirants Cup early this year.

Racal seems to be peaking at the right time and coach Caloy Garcia hopes the Tile Masters can unleash the full brunt of their attack on the dangerous Rhum Masters, who finished the elimination round with an 8-4 record.

The Tile Masters go into the postseason on a six-game winning streak, but the Rhum Masters have a slew of clutch performers in their squad, particularly late-season acquisition Kevin Ferrer and Gelo Alolino, who won a UAAP crown at National U.

Garcia need not look far on understanding the perils of having a twice-to-beat edge. The Tile Masters bungled that advantage in the Aspirants’ Cup.

“We can’t allow that to happen again,” said Garcia. “We don’t want to be in a situation where we will regret some of our mistakes.”

Former Globalport player Philip Paniamogan and ex-St. Benilde star Jonathan Grey will lead the charge for the Tile Masters, who lost Jio Jalalon and Jason Perkins from the squad in the last conference.

Tanduay coach Lawrence Chongson hopes his wards can rise to the challenge against a Racal squad that can’t seem to put a foot wrong late in the tournament.

“I’m just kind of hoping that they run out of luck or the law of averages will catch up with them,” he said. “But seriously, we can see that they’re playing very well right now.”

Equally interesting will be the Cafe France-Phoenix tussle that was split in the elimination round.

The Accelerators though hold the superior quotient that handed them the semifinal bonus. But Phoenix coach Eric Gonzales doesn’t want any letup from his team, especially with Cafe France welcoming back Congolese center Rod Ebundo from illness.

“That’s our goal, to make it back to the Finals, but there’s no guarantee yet,” said Gonzales. “We need to study and work with our own hands together.”

Aspirants Cup MVP Mac Belo, this conference’s Best Player pacesetter Mike Tolomia, and Ed Daquioag have taken turns in carrying the fight for Phoenix in the tournament.

Veterans Carl Bryan Cruz and Paul Zamar have complemented Ebundo and the CEU-powered Cafe France squad, which also welcomes head coach Egay Macaraya back from a one-game suspension.