Perpetual Help guns for solo lead
UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta guns for the solo lead against debuting AMA Online, as EcoOil-La Salle and Philippine Sports Performance seek bounce-back wins in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup today at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Action unfolds at 2 p.m. with the Altas seeking a solid follow-up to their rousing debut before the main act between the reigning champion Green Archers and the Gymers at 4 p.m.
Perpetual handed PSP a reality check with a 93-82 drubbing on Wednesday and a win today would catapult the NCAA side to a solo leeway at 2-0 in the short single-round robin eliminations.
“Ang mindset namin ito is to win every game. ‘Yun ang goal namin kada salang namin kasi preparation namin ito for NCAA Season 99,” said coach Myk Saguiguit as his Altas are revving up following an eighth-place finish in the previous season.
To score a repeat and gain an early headway in the playoff race, Perpetual is banking on the quintet of Arthur Roque, Carlo Ferreras, Mark Omega, Cyrus Nitura and captain Jielo Razon, who ran roughshod on the Gymers.
Out to test the Altas are the Mark Herrera-mentored Titans, who are raring to plunge back to action with a week-long breather before their first game this season as one of the D-League’s staple teams.
EcoOil-DLSU and PSP – which are currently in a three-way log jam with Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda at 1-1 – are not to be left behind in their crucial battle with the solo second spot on the line after falling prey to separate counterparts.
“It’s about building good habits and knowing their roles. We have young players and nangangapa pa sila but we know that our veteran core will be there to support,” said deputy mentor Gian Nazario after a narrow 92-89 loss against the Red Lions as the Green Archers march on without Mike and Ben Phillips anew due to their Gilas Pilipinas commitments and head coach Topex Robinson as well.
“Nagbi-build pa rin kami ng chemistry. Nasa adjustment period pa rin kami so kailangan tuloy lang kami sa goal na mabigyan ng chance lalo ng playing time ‘yung mga ibang players,” said Gymers coach John Paolo Lao, who will be relying on Jayvee Dela Cruz and seasoned pro Val Acuña.
