Games Today
(Cong. Jun Duenas gym, Taguig City)
2 p.m. — Treston Laguna vs Cobra Energy Drink
4 p.m. — Taguig vs Ascof Lagundi
Hobe Bihon-Taguig and Treston Laguna try to clinch
the first two semis berths when they collide against separate rivals
at the start of the quarterfinal round of the Tournament of the
Philippines (TOP) today at the at the Cong. Jun Duenas gym in Signal
Village, Taguig City.
The Taguig cagers of Mayor Laarni Cayetano collide
with the Ascof Lagundi Cough Busters at 4 p.m. right after the 2
p.m. showdown between the Laguna Stallions and the Cobra Energy
Drink Ironmen in the tournament organized by the Philippine Basketball
League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas.
Both Taguig and Laguna need just to beat their rivals
once to advance into the Final Four after finishing third and fourth,
respectively, at the end of the 9-leg series that earned them twice-to-beat
privileges.
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu and Misamis Oriental,
the top two finishers, will later make their quarterfinal debuts
against MP Gensan and Ani-FCA, respectively.
Lou Gatumbato, Eric dela Cuesta, Ariel de Castro, Harold Sta Cruz
and newly-acquired Christian Coronel are expected be at the forefront
of Taguig’s assault against the Cough Busters who will be bannered
by Rob Labagala, Edwin Asoro, Sean Co and Raymund Aguilar.
Taguig beat Ascof three times during the four elimination
round meetings, including its title conquest in the tournament's
fifth leg.
Laguna, on the other hand, will be spearheaded by
Ricky Ricafuente, Glenn Bolocon, Leo Losentes and veteran big men
Marlon Legaspi and Francis Mercado against the young Cobra cagers.
Athleticism will be Cobra’s main weapon as it boasts
of pro-bound players like Elmer Espiritu, Pari Llagas, Rudy Lingganay
and Val Acuna.
The Stallions swept the Ironmen in two times they
met, including a miraculous buzzer-beating triple by Ricafuente
in General Santos City that denied Cobra of completing a three-game
sweep of the elims.