Elite seek 4th straight win

Games Today
(Arellano gym)
2 p.m. – Cebuana vs RnW Pipes
4 p.m. – Blackwater vs Freego

Manila, Philippines – Blackwater tries to keep the solo lead today when it meets fellow unbeaten team Freego Jeans in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Arellano University gym in Legarda.

Toting a perfect 3-0 record after a win two days ago, the Elite take on the Bluebirds (2-0) in the second game at 4 p.m.

In the opener, Cebuana Lhuillier (2-0) tries to stretch its perfect slate to three games when it meets a rejuvenated RnW Pacific Pipes (1-1) at 2 p.m.

Behind Isiah Ciriacruz, Jeric Fortuna and Clark Bautista, the Elite trounced CafeFrance, 92-86, at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros to regain the top spot in this 11-team tournament.

But coach Leo Isaac wants more consistency from his Elite, especially after seeing them lose a 15-point lead against the Bakers.

“Kailangan trabahuin namin ang bawat possession,” said Isaac. “Gusto ko marecognize nila na dapat may disciplina kami on both offense and defense.”

Isaac and his team should expect a clash with Freego, which downed Boracay Rum, 58-48, on Monday.

Coach Leo Austria drew big games from Lester Alvarez and Eric Camson to prevent the Waves from completing their late comeback.

Like his “tukayo”, Austria is looking for a much improved play on his Bluebirds team that not only has former Adamson and Ateneo players like Janus Lozada, son Bacon Austria and Jason Escueta but also Jose Rizal University cagers John Lopez and Jeckster Apinan.

“Hindi pa kami naglalaro as a team in terms of our offense,” said Austria.

Meanwhile, the Gems will be led by Terrence Romeo and former PBL Most Valuable Player Vic Manuel as they play their first game minus Kevin Alas, who will travel to the United States for a training.

Cebuana meets an RnW team that leaned on Kevin Racal’s heroics to beat DUB Unlimited, 78-77, on Tuesday. Racal hit a driving layup with under a minute left to eventually put the Steelers in the win column. (Jonas Terrado)