MANILA, Philippines—Big Chill and Cebuana Lhuillier seek a share of top spot when they square off Monday in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Far Eastern U Gym.
Sporting identical 4-1 records, the Superchargers and the Gems look to join pacesetter Freego Jeans on top in their 4 p.m. encounter.
Big Chill is coming off an 85-83 triumph over defending champion NLEX last Thursday in a resounding response to their 61-71 loss to Cafe France.
The Road Warriors try to bounce back against cellar dweller Cobra Energy Drink in the first game at 2 p.m.
Scenario
Only six teams will advance after the single round elimination with the top two teams earning outright spots to the semifinals.
The third and fourth-placed teams will be armed with a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Team to beat
Big Chill coach Arsenio Dysangco believes the game against Gems could be their toughest game yet in the tournament.
“Cebuana Lhuillier remains one of the teams to beat,” said Dysangco. “If we play hard and with a lot of intensity I believe we will be in for
another close game.”
The Gems pose plenty of matchup problems for the Superchargers with their solid backcourt combination of Jai Reyes and Terrence Romeo.
Cebuana Lhuillier coach Luigi Trillo said the Super Chargers are playing at a very high level.
“People also don’t realize that this is a team with a lot of veterans,” Trillo said referring to Big Chill guard Raffy Reyes, forward June Dizon and center Jewel Ponferada.