It’s incredible how B-Meg Derby Ace has turned its fortunes around.

From a potential candidate for elimination, the Llamados have suddenly transformed into a playoff contender.

Remarkably, the Llamados rolled through five consecutive wins with a roster depleted by injuries roster.

They endured tremendous odds without Kerby Raymundo, who underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn cartilage in his left hip, the same condition that required Mark Pingris to seek theraphy in the US for two months. Also out was center Rafi Reavis with a fractured finger and lately was diagnosed with a fracture in his left foot.

“We’re just riding through the momentum. And more importantly, the guys are playing their roles and helping each other out,” replied Derby Ace coach George Gallent when asked how his team made it happen.

Suddenly everybody – their opponents included – has realized the Llamados are the defending champions and they wouldn’t just roll over and die.

That wasn’t the case a month ago when Derby Ace was buried deep down in the team standings and didn’t look a bit like playoff material with a 1-5 record.

Can they make it six in row and match the conference’s longest winning streak?

That would be interesting.

After a three-day break, Derby Ace returns to the floor Sunday for a rematch against Barangay Ginebra, whose six-game winning streak was snapped Sunday with another one-point loss to San Miguel Beer, 78-79.

The 6:30 p.m. encounter highlight’s Sunday’s double-header that promises to be a box office hit. The other match pits Rain or Shine against Alaska at 4 o’clock.

During their first meeting last Oct. 24, the Kings (7-3) manhandled the Llamados, 93-82. At that time Derby Ace was still adjusting to the style of Gallent, who took over from Ryan Gregorio, now the Meralco coach.

But the Llamados (6-5) are now comfortable with their coach’s patterns and it showed during their streak.

Gallent said the rematch with the Kings is a “big game for us” and urges his players to just do what has been clicking in the last five games.

He said the Kings are much like his team that relies on the small guys.

“Every game we’re making improvement in the standings. I just hope we will continue doing what has been successful for us during the last five games,” Gallent said.

Barangay Ginebra is aiming for its eighth victory to keep its hold of second place while a sixth straight victory will give the Llamados a shot at the top two spots and earn a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Alaska and RoS are also badly in need of a win as they try to avoid finishing 7th or 8th at the end of the elimination round.

Both teams are coming off losses to Derby Ace. The Painters lost ,86-94, last Nov. 19 while Alaska absorbed an 84-79 setback last Wednesday.

(DBC)

Source: PBA.ph