Resurgent Zamboanga Valientes tangle with slumping Rizal Crusaders at 7 p.m. as the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup resumes at the Pasig Sports Center Tuesday.
Navotas Clutch try to climb out of a deep pit when they battle cellar-dweller Pasig Pirates at 9 p.m.
After a two-game slide, the unheralded Valientes have won their last three to raise their record to 4-2 in the regional league founded by Senator Manny Pacquiao.
For this reason, the Valientes, owned by Yacob Ati and supported by Family’s Brand Sardines, have been tagged slight favorites over the Xentro Mall-backed Crusaders, who tote a 1-5 slate.
The Valientes will again draw firepower from former pro Reed Juntilla- the league’s second-leading scorer with an average of 21.33 points per game, just behind the 23.8 average of Michael Juico of the Pampanga Lanterns.
Other key players for the Valientes are former pros Leo Avenido and Robert Sanz and Noy Javier.
Reeling from three straight losses after winning their first two, the Clutch remain the slight pick over the Pirates, the only winless squad among 26 teams entered.
The Clutch will lean on team skipper Rey Publico, former pro Levi Hernandez and Ron Dennison to get back on track.