Photo by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines – Freego coach Leo Austria hopes his players will still have enough energy when the Jeans Makers shoot for a sixth straight victory against Dub Unlimited in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Thursday.
Austria, who together with his core players shuttled between two leagues last Tuesday, tries to steer Freego past the winless Wheelers at 4 p.m. at Trinity University of Asia.
Defending champion NLEX, which has only played one game, resumes its bid against Big Chill in the first game at 2 p.m.
The Jeans Makers stretched their unbeaten run Tuesday with a 61-54 triumph over Cobra Energy Drink, just minutes after their core—composed of Adamson’s veteran stars—also powered the Falcons to a victory in the Philippine Collegiate Champions.
And the Jeans Makers face the same hectic schedule as they try to boost their bid for an outright Final Four berth.
“The only sure thing right now is that we will be among the six teams that will advance to the next round,” said Austria. “Our remaining assignments will be very crucial.”
Austria sees a dangerous foe in the Wheelers, the newcomers who have gone down fighting in their last four games.
NLEX, meanwhile, must do without collegiate stars Calvin Abueva, Ronald Pascual and Ian Sangalang of San Sebastian and Far Eastern University’s RR Garcia.
The star quartet are all suiting for their schools in the PCCL, while San Beda gunner Garvo Lanete also remains a doubtful starter due to a shoulder injury.
Although Fil-Ams Cliff Hodge and Chris Ellis, together with Dave Marcelo and Eman Monfort, are back in the lineup after their stint with the Philippine squad in the Southeast Asian Games, coach Boyet Fernandez said they had little practice with the Road Warriors.