D-League’s last 2 quarterfinal slots up for grabs today

MANILA—After blowing its chance to earn an outright trip to the quarterfinals, Cobra Energy Drink tries to make it this time against Pharex in the first round of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup playoffs today.

The Ironmen and the Bidang Generix dispute one of the two remaining quarterfinal slots in the 4 p.m. knockout match at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

RnW Pacific Pipes and FCA collide earlier at 2 p.m. for the second Last 8 slot.

Early favorites NLEX and Cebuana Lhuillier earned outright quarterfinal berths along with PC Gilmore and Max Bond Super Glue as incentive for earning the best records in the classification phase.

Last week, Freego Jeans and Blackwater claimed two more quarterfinal slots by surviving the first set of knockout games.

“Obviously, the character of our team will be put to a test,” said Cobra coach Lawrence Chongson.

The Ironmen had a shot at an automatic entry to the quarterfinals, but bowed to Cebuana Lhuillier, 70-73, in their last classification game.

“I’m just hoping the work we’ve done over the last few weeks will show against a team that is ultra dangerous,” said Pharex coach Carlo Tan.

The Bidang Generix try to arrest a four-game skid with Marlon Adolfo, Jason Deutchman and Raymond Aguilar.

Tan said his wards remain wary of Cobra’s talented crew, which is led by one of the tournaments best guards in Paul Lee.