MANILA, Philippines – Blackwater hopes to exact sweet revenge Thursday when its battles Pharex in Group A while Cobra Energy Drink shoots for a third straight win in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros. The Elite and the Bidang Generix meet in the curtain raiser at 2 p.m. with the winner securing a piece of the lead with idle North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) while the Ironmen battle Max! Bond Super Glue in the second game at 4 p.m.
NLEX grabbed the solo lead in Group A following a hard-earned 88-87 win over stubborn PC Gilmore side last Tuesday at the JCSGO gym in Cubao.
With the loss, the Ave Relucio-owned PC Gilmore slipped to 2-2.
Blackwater is seeking to avenge its 100-90 loss to Pharex, which drew a strong game from former FEU forward Marlon Adolfo, on March 17.
Since that defeat, the squad owned by former PBL chairman Dioceldo Sy and coached by Leo Isaac won their next two games, capped oby a 104-87 rout of Freego Jeans last Thursday.
In that game, Ian Mazo, who played for Isaac at Mapua, erupted for 25 points while getting solid help from Andrian Celada, who had 23 points, and big men Jerald Lapuz and Gio Ciriacruz with 13 and 12 points, apiece.
Meanwhile, Cobra hopes to shrug off a 21-day layoff when it plays a likewise long-rested Sumos.
Jonas Terrado, Manila Bulletin
