KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue City and ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu City clash in the semifinals of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on Tuesday at the Alcantara Civic Center in Cebu.
Tipoff is 6 p.m. with Mandaue City needing to win once to book its ticket in the best-of-three Visayas Leg Finals opposite undefeated MJAS Zenith Talisay City.
With their squad finally complete with the return of ace point guard Jerick Cañada from a hamstring injury, Lapu-Lapu City has other plans as it tries to force a rubber match for the Finals slot on Wednesday.
Lapu-Lapu City assistant coach Jerry Abuyabor said his coaching staff, led by Head Coach Francis Auquico, just wanted the players to focus on the thing at hand. He emphasized that the Heroes need to do well on their transition and defensive rotations.
“We just want our players to play their best game possible,” said Abuyabor, whose wards trounced Dumaguete, 92-76, on Sunday to advance to the semifinals. “We want to focus on things we can control because we’re facing a Mandaue City team that is good in transition and ball movement.”
It will be a tall task for Lapu-Lapu City considering that Mandaue City has the numbers so far in the competition. Mandaue City won both of their encounters—77-66 on April 20 and 75-66 on April 26.
Mandaue City head coach Mike Reyes is not taking any chances though, especially against a squad filled with seasoned veterans Reed Juntilla, Jojo Tangkay and Ferdinand Lusdoc.
“We’ll have the same strategy as our second round game. We have to limit Tangkay, Lusdoc and Reed,” Reyes said. “We’ll make a few adjustments on defense and offense but mostly, just mental preparation.” The Visayas leg Finals starts Thursday if Mandaue City wins, or Friday if Lapu-Lapu City forces a knockout game.
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