MPBL: Capitals face dangerous Risers
Games Wednesday (Blue Eagle Gym)
7 p.m. – Zamboanga vs Navotas
9 p.m. – Quezon City vs Bataan
IN its first home game nearly a month ago, Quezon City was able to pull off a tough win over Gen San. This time, the Black Mamba-backed Capitals face another acid test when they take on the streaking Bataan Risers in the main game of the MPBL Datu Cup at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Game time is 9 p.m. right after the match between the Zamboanga Valientes and the Navotas Clutch at 7 p.m.
The Risers are hoping to build on the momentum of their four-game winning run and they want to extend this even at the expense of snatching one at Quezon City’s home floor.
The Capitals lost their last game against the Marikina Shoemasters last July 26 in Pasig and head coach Vis Valencia and his squad will need to bring their A-game against a team that has become better and better each game.
The Risers, coached by Jojo Lastimosa and sponsored by Zetapro, had been getting solid production from mainstays – ex-pros Byron Villarias, Pamboy Raymundo and Rob Celiz – and likewise drawing ample support from PBA hopefuls Jay Alejandro and Vince Tolentino as well as promising big man Jeepy Faundo.
No wonder, they are favored to pick up their fifth win in six games against the Capitals, who have remained inconsistent carrying a 1-3 win-loss record.
Zamboanga is another team making gradual improvement in the tournament and is hoping its back-to-back wins would be the start of something god for the Family’s Brand Sardines-bankrolled Valientes. The team takes on Navotas, whose previous game at home against Muntinlupa was halted due to a broken rim, forcing MPBL officials not to continue the remaining 1:35 of the overtime period.
The Valientes are continuously being paced by ex-PBA stalwart Reed Juntilla, vastly improving big man Rino Berame and the up and coming Das Esa, the Tausug hero, who had shown his potential in playing in the big league after a promising collegiate career in Mindanao.
