ebuana Lhuillier and FCA hope to join Group B leader Cobra on top of the standings when they clash in Thursday's double-header in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) D-League Foundation Cup at the San Juan gym. The Gems and Cultivators collide at 4 p.m. with both teams trying to go for their second win.
Cebuana Lhuillier posted an 83-62 win over Cafe France last March 17, but the Gems expect to be tested against FCA.
"They are a well-coached team and I believe they are one of the teams to beat," said Cebuana Lhuillier coach Luigi Trillo.
Allein Maliksi led the Gems' lopsided win over the Scorpions with 16 points, while ex-Jose Rizal University (JRU) standouts Marvin Hayes and JR Sena scored 12 apiece.
Trillo said they are also wary of FCA's inside game, though Cultivators coach Arsenio Dysangco believes that their fastbreak plays can also be a potent force.
"We like our uptempo game as long as we are really focused and believe that we can run," said Dysangco.
JR Gerilla, Raffy Reyes and June Dizon combined for 45 points to lead the Cultivators to an 89-71 win over Junior Powerade last March 15.
In the 2 p.m. first game, North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) takes on RnW Pacific Pipes, with both teams aiming to get back to their winning ways after dropping their previous assignments against separate foes.
The Road Warriors, one of the pre-tournament favorites, were stunned by Group A leader Pharex, 74-79, on March 22.
Calvin Abueva, Erik Salamat and Cristopher Ellis led the charge for the Road Warriors against the Bidang Generix, but their efforts proved futile.
RnW Pacific Pipes, meanwhile, could not convert in the crucial moments of the match and suffered a 72-69 upset in the hands of Blackwater.
Rex Leynes, however, was impressive in his first game for RnW, as the former St. Francis of Assisi led the way with 13 points in that loss.
Reuebn Terrado, GMA News TV
