Gems take on Bakers, try to bolster D-League semis bid

MANILA, Philippines—Before its big showdown against the defending champion, Cebuana Lhuillier buckles down to work against struggling Café France in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Thursday.

As the solo leader at 7-1, the Gems aim to boost their outright semifinal bid against the Bakers in the 4 p.m. match at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

“We can’t look past Café France,” said coach Luigi Trillo, whose Gems will take on inaugural winner NLEX next month in a rematch of last season’s Finals.

“They (Bakers) are not a school-based team anymore. They’ve added pieces [to their lineup].”

Another victory will give the Gems the edge over three other teams—Freego Jeans (6-2), Big Chill (6-3), NLEX (5-1)—vying for the automatic semifinal slots that will be awarded to the top two teams at the end of the eliminations.

Cobra Energy Drink and PC Gilmore, the two squads that recently snapped out of their winless campaign, shoot for a second triumph in the first game at 2 p.m.

The Gems’ end-game poise may just be their advantage with reliables Vic Manuel, a former PBL MVP, Jai Reyes and Terrence Romeo at the helm.