Marinerong Pilipino and Apex Fuel-San Sebastian seek to gain outright semifinals berths when they face different foes Monday in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Skippers get one more shot at securing a top two spot when they take on Centro Escolar University at 1 p.m.
Jollo Go will be back in the fold as Marinerong Pilipino will be out for blood after a shock 88-80 loss to Builders Warehouse-UST on Thursday.
“Kailangan naming matuto sa pagkatalong ito. Importante para sa amin ‘yun kasi papalapit na ‘yung playoffs,” said coach Yong Garcia as his side currently holds a 4-2 win-loss record.
The Skippers better learned their lessons from that setback, all the more as they’re facing a scrappy Scorpions crew which are coming off a confidence-boosting 81-75 victory over Wangs Basketball @26-Letran.
“Mas maganda ‘yung mindset ng players namin ngayon,” said coach Chico Manabat, with his side looking to punch its own playoff ticket and rise from a 3-3 slate.
Meanwhile, Apex Fuel-San Sebastian and Wangs Basketball @26-Letran collide in a high-stakes battle at 3 p.m.
At 4-1, the Golden Stags can clinch a top two seed and avoid any more complications that may arise in the event of a triple or even a quadruple-tie at the top.
“Very happy kami sa tinatakbo ng mga bata kaya sana magtuloy-tuloy na ito,” said coach Egay Macaraya.
But they’re facing a Knights crew, holding a 3-2 card, which is basically fighting not only for its top two hopes but also its life as they look to avoid falling down the standings with one more game left in their schedule.
