SURPRSING Columbian Dyip will get tested as it looks to convince more people that its early surge is real in the resumption of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
The Dyip (2-1) hopes to continue pulling off shockers as it goes on to face the Alaska Aces (1-1) at 4:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.
Following that is a sibling tiff between Meralco (1-1) and still winless NLEX (0-2) at 7 p.m.
Unexpectedly, Columbian has changed the complexion of the tournament this early by impressing in its first three games, winning two of them to raise eyebrows.
After victories over Blackwater and NLEX, both blowouts, in its first three outings, the Dyip caught people’s attention as it suddenly eclipsed its win total of just one in the Philippine Cup with the eliminations not even halfway.
Columbian coach Ricky Dandan expects his improved team to be tested by the hungry Aces.
“We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. We will continue to be tested. Our plan will be tested by Alaska,” said Dandan. “I have repeatedly talked to them (Dyip players) about guarding against slippage. That’s our enemy right now—getting back to our old ways. We have to guard against that and stay close to have a chance against Alaska.”
Showing that its first win wasn’t a fluke, Columbian whipped the Road Warriors impressively, 123-103, last weekend in its previous assignment.
The Aces are likewise coming off a win, listing their first triumph against the Elite, 93-74, last Sunday.
On the other pairing of the night, the Bolts and the Road Warriors are both coming off losses.
Meralco dropped an 85-86 decision to GlobalPort while just last Wednesday night, NLEX suffered its second straight defeat at the hands of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in same fashion, 97-98.