Altas, Coffee Lovers step up D-L drive

Perpetual Help and Gamboa Coffee try to break off a tie for sixth and bolster their respective drive even as Wangs Basketball faces lowly Jose Rizal U in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao today.

The Altas seek to employ their pressure defense again as they slug it out with the Coffee Lovers at 2 p.m. while the Couriers seek to join the winner in the GamboaPerpetual duel at 3-2 with a victory over the Bombers in their 4 p.m. encounter.

UPHSD held Batangas-EAC Generals to a 30-of-88 shooting clip in its previous outing to tie Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare and Wangs-CSJL at 2-2.

“We just try to play our game. We need to play defense and deny them (Coffee Lovers),” said Altas coach Frankie Lim.

Nigerian Prince Eze is tipped to lead Perpetual Help again after a monstrous 24-point, 15-rebound eight-block outing the last time out.

Gamboa Coffee standout Trevis Jackson, meanwhile, hopes the Coffee Lovers can rebound from their 85-92 setback to AkariAdU last Feb. 15 that shoved the latter to the solo lead at 4-1.

“I’m just proud that we continue to keep fighting. The most important thing is we don’t quit and it’s all that matters. If you don’t quit, you always have a chance. That’s what I like about this team,” said Jackson.

Bong Quinto and JP Calvo are expected to lead Wangs-CSJL which is coming off a loss to Marinerong Pilipino, 84-96, last Feb 8.