ECOOIL-La Salle is the hands down favorite over Go Torakku-St. Clare when the two teams battle each other in Game 1 of the PBA D League Aspirants’ Cup semifinals series on Thursday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
That’s not the case though in the other series between Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda and Centro Escolar University.
Jaded observers believe the matchup, a rematch of their classification round duel, could go either way.
The top-seed and two-time defending champion Green Archers test the mettle of the Saints at 4:30 p.m., while the Red Lions and the Scorpions clash at 7:30 p.m.
EcoOil-La Salle smothered Go Torakku-St. Clare, 90-63 in the classification phase and is expected to encounter little trouble in the semifinals largely due to its deep bench.
Also, the reigning UAAP champion Green Archers are highly motivated to win another championship.
In contrast, the Marinerong Pilipino/San Beda- CEU duel promises to be interesting.
The secondseeded Scorpions stunned the Red Lions, 72-63, in the classification phase, something that could work to their advantage in the semifinal series in terms of confidence.
But the Red Lions are title hungry and vengeful. They certainly focused on getting back at the Scorpions and set up a title rematch against the Green Archers, who swept them in the tournament last year.
Game Thursday
(Ynares Arena, Pasig City)
4:30 p.m.: Go Torakku-St.Clare vs. EcoOil-La Salle
7:30 p.m. – CEU vs Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda