BUILDERS Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas seeks to complete its riveting rise from the bottom to the semifinals while Adalem Construction-St. Clare tries to avoid a stunning ouster in a tournament where it’s one of the favorites.
Which team will achieve its goal will be known today when the Tigers clash with the Saints in a knockout duel for the last semis slot in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The match is set at 11 a.m., with the winner forging a best-of-3 semis showdown with second seed EcoOil-La Salle.
No. 1 Apex Fuel-San Sebastian College will take on fourth-ranked Marinerong Pilipino in the other semis tiff in the season-opening tourney.
Builders Warehouse-UST turned back Adalem Construction-St. Clare 98-93 last Friday that negated the No. 3 Saints’ twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Despite his team rise from a 0-4 start, Tigers interim coach Albert Alocillo warned his wards not to look past the Saints.
“St. Clare is a champion team kaya hindi kami puwedeng mag-relax,” Alocillo said.
“Ipagpapatuloy lang namin iyong trabaho at magpre-prepare lang kami.”
Builders Warehouse-UST will count on Sherwin Concepcion, Nic Cabañero, and Kean Baclaan.
“Hindi namin ginusto iyong ending, pero lalaban pa rin iyong boys ko,” Adalem Construction-St. Clare strategist Jiniño Manansala said.
“Tiwala pa rin kami na kaya naming makuha iyong panalo.”
NAASCU MVP Johnsherick Estrada, John Rojas, and Joshua Fontanilla are expected to show the way for the Saints.
