RACE FOR D-LEAGUE SEMIS SPOTS NEARS HOMESTRETCH

Go for Gold and Centro Escolar University jostle for position in preparation for a potential semifinal duel in the 2018 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Monday.

The Scratchers and the Scorpions, with three games left in the elimination round, are focused on claiming a playoff spot in their 1 p.m. tussle.

Coach Charles Tiu is hoping that the worst is over for Go for Gold (5-2) after they snapped their two-game skid with a 135-91 demolition of AMA last Monday.

“I think that was a wake-up call, that we have to shape up because we can’t lose the next three games,” he said.

Rey Publico will bolster the Scratchers’ frontline as he partners with ex-pro Jerwin Gaco and guards Jai Reyes and James Martinez.

CEU coach Derrick Pumaren acknowledges that his young side must shape up to avert a repeat of their first meeting which Go for Gold won, 92-83, last June 14.

“We didn’t really come out and compete with them,” Pumaren said of their previous duel.

The Scorpions (4-3) need to see more from Cameroonian center Gilles Oloume and guard Orlan Wamar to improve their chances of entering the next round.

In the 3 p.m. match, Marinerong Pilipino-Technological Institute of the Philippines (4-3) and Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College (3-4) collide to boost their semifinal bids.

Marinero-TIP is coming off a 91-83 win over Che’Lu Bar and Grill last week. It also scored a 42-point whipping of BatangasEAC in their initial encounter, 106-64, last June 18.