Source: GMA NEWS
Pre-season favorite Ascof Lagundi tries to bounce back from an opening-day setback even as AddMix and Ani-FCA dispute win no. 1 on Tuesday in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
The Cough Busters meet Cossack Blue at 2 pm with the Spirits also going all-out to score another win that will catapult them to a share of the early lead with Excelroof and Cobra Energy Drink with 2-0 records.
“We started out flat in our last game. I hope we learned from our mistake and improve for this game," said Ascof Lagundi coach Carlo Tan whose team absorbed an 73-82 loss to Excelroof.
Ascof is billed as one of the favorites after finishing second to Oracle Residences in the last Unity Cup while carrying the brand name of Pharex Medics.
Veterans JR Gerilla, Mark Canlas, Rob Labagala and Fritz Bauson must show their leadership as the Spirits are still in high morale after posting an 81-77 victory over Fern-C.
Despite parading a short line-up with only 6’3" JR Taganas manning the shaded area, the team of coach Rene Baena pulled off the upset win using their aggressive defense.
“We have to play solid defense since we’re not that tall a team. I just hope we can score a follow-up win to this victory," said Baena.
AddMix and Fern-C collide at 4 pm hoping to rebound strong from opening-day losses.
The AddMix team of coach Leo Austria lost steam in the final period to suffer a 77-81 defeat to Cobra Ironmen while the Bal David-mentored Fern-C bowed to Cossack Blue via the same score.
Both coaches are hoping to draw more from their respective benches with Austria looking at Gio Ciriacruz, tipped as a player to watch this season.
But the hotshot from Arellano University in the NCAA was held down to just four points in his debut.
“His performance is understandable since that was his first game. But I expect him to bounce back because he’s really a good player," said Austria.
John Wilson, who led his team with 26 points in their first outing, is expected to take charge anew but he has to get other support from teammates like veterans Anthony Espiritu and Allan Evangelista, who scored just eight points each. - GMANews.TV
Games Tuesday (The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. — Cossack Blue vs Ascof Lagundi
4 p.m. — AddMix vs Fern-C
Team standings: (as of Feb 22)
Excelroof 2-0
Cobra 2-0
Cossack 1-0
Pharex B 1-1
Ascof Lagundi 0-1
Fern-C 0-1
AddMix 0-1
Ani-FCA 0-1
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