REIGNING champion EcoOil-La Salle and Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers-Letran dispute the second outright semifinals berth in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League Aspirants’ Cup Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The two teams go for the all-important victory at close of the eliminations round at 4 p.m
Letran earned a shot at the coveted seat by pulling a stunner against University of Perpetual Help System Dalta on Tuesday.
La Salle has one foot in the semifinals with its 4-1 record but Letran (3-2) could foil the defending champs’ bid for a direct passage into the Final Four with another victory.
In the event the Knights and the Archers finished the elims with a tied record, Letran will advance and join semifinalist in waiting Marinerong Pilipino on the strength of the winner over the other rule,
Notwithstanding, La Salle will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
“We want to focus on just getting better. It’s a building block on where we want to be. We want to improve as we go along,” La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario said. “We’re not concerned with the standings at this point.”
Letran coach Rensy Bajar encourages his wards to grab the opportunity.
“This is our chance to be No. 2. We have to (capitalize) on this opportunity,” Bajar said.
Perpetual Help, Centro Escolar University and PSP Gymers have been relegated in the quarterfinals but which two teams get the luxury of the twice-to-beat advantage depends on the result of the La Salle-Letran game.