Big Chill, Cagayan square off

Big Chill and Cagayan Valley try to strengthen their bids for an automatic semifinal berth today when they square off in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at Arellano Gym.

A victory by the Superchargers in the 2 p.m. duel with the Rising Suns will give them the inside track on the second semifinal spot behind the NLEX Road Warriors, who are already assured of a last four berth with a 9-1 slate.

Big Chill coach Robert Sison talked up the significance of the game and said he isn’t looking past Cagayan.

Foremost on Sison’s game plan is an improved defensive game after lackluster performances against NLEX and Fruitas.

“We know how tight the race for the outright semis is,” he said. “Solid defense was lacking in our past two losses and we gave away high scores to our opponents. That’s what we are giving emphasis in our practices and we intend to show and make sure that solid defense should always be present in our games.”

Boracay Rum and Erase Xfoliant collide in the second game with both teams hoping to stay in the fight for a quarterfinal spot.

Both teams are tied for ninth and tenth spots with 2-5 marks.

The Superchargers have not played since Dec. 18 when the backcourt tandem of Terrence Romeo and Mar Villahermosa combined for 40 points in an 88-68 rout of Erase Plantcenta.