Perpetual faces AMA

Games Today (JCSGO Gym, Cubao) 12 p.m. — Perpetual vs AMA 2 p.m. — Go for Gold vs Zark’s-Lyceum

Struggling teams take center stage today in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.

Perpetual Help (2-5) takes on AMA Online Education in the 12 p.m. opener, with the Altas try to pull themselves within the middle of the pack and the Titans (1-6) out to dodge the ax with four playoff spots still up for grabs.

Pre-season favorite Zark’s Burgers (4-4) and unpredictable Go for Gold (4-5) are also expected to play with some sense of urgency in their 2 p.m. encounter.

So far, Centro Escolar University and Akari-Adamson have already secured their spots in the next round, with Marinerong Pilipino, Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian, Wang’s Basketball and Gamboa Coffee Mix also in strong contention.

Zark’s Burgers coach Topex Robinson is hoping to see nothing less than a big-time performance from the Jawbreakers, bannered by the core of Lyceum Pirates who have dropped their last three outings, including a painful 107-106 overtime loss to the Coffee Lovers last week.

“We just have to go through this adversity together as a team,” he said, trying his best to stay optimistic. “In the long run, it will just make us better, not just as a team but also as individuals. As long as we do it the right way, we will have a better chance at winning.”