Stags, Archers seek third victory

Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum) 10:30 a.m. — UST vs Adalem-St. Clare 12:30 p.m. — San Sebastian vs EcoOil

Apex Fuel-San Sebastian and EcoOil-La Salle will headline a crucial tiff in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) D-League Aspirants’ Cup today at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game time is at 12:30 p.m. as the Stags and the Green Archers stake their 2-1 cards in a bid to gain the solo second spot entering the halfway mark of the elimination round.

Adalem Construction-St. Clare, meanwhile, seeks to bounce back at the expense of listless Builders Warehouse-UST in the opening salvo at 10:30 a.m.

Despite a blowout 93-53 win over AMA Online on Tuesday, San Sebastian tactician Egay Macaraya admitted they are up for an acid test against an equally determined La Salle side.

Against the Titans, James Una led the four Stags in double-digits with 12 points, five rebounds, and three steals, but Macaraya knows that they will need so much more than that.

After all, a win can put them in the top two spots that will claim an outright semifinal berth after the eliminations.

“It’s going to be a learning process for them. We will be facing a tough opponent and these are the challenges we are preparing for our big men.” Macaraya said.

But the Green Archers are out to spoil the Stags’ plans.

La Salle mentor Derrick Pumaren said they will enter the warzone fully prepared and will not underestimate San Sebastian’s capacity.

The young and athletic crew of Michael Phillips, CJ Austria, Penny Estacio and Emman Galman are also riding on their momentum from a 76-65 win over Centro Escolar University last week.

La Salle denied the Scorpions an upset win after Austria delivered 18 points, four assists, and three rebounds, while Phillips patrolled the paint with 12 markers and 11 boards.

“We cannot underestimate teams and take any team for granted here. We have to be competitive and that’s the thing that we should not do against San Sebastian,” Pumaren said.