For coach Raul Latonio Sr. and his Panthers, winning tonight could be crucial as they will move up to third place for a possible 2-1 win-loss record.
Also, a victory over the Bosconians is timely as they need a morale booster before they meet the surging USJ-R Jaguars tomorrow in what could be the Panthers most difficult challenge aside from that of the UV Lancers come August 16.
Likewise, two-time women's champion University of Cebu (UC) Lady Webmasters are seeking for a 2-0 tie with idle USC Lady Warriors when they face the Cebu Doctors University White Mares in the preliminary.
Another exciting game in store today is the encounter between secondary defending champion University of the Visayas Baby Lancers who collide with the University of San Carlos Baby Warriors.
In the other high school game, winless Cebu Institute of Technology Wildkittens hope to snap a two-game skid to prevent further agony as they battle against another winless team the University of San Jose-Recoletos Baby Jaguars.
The 1-1 Panthers are badly needing a victory over Don Bosco, hoping to improve their rcord to 2-1 and thereby also moving up to third place behind UV (3-0) and USJ-R (2-0).
Against the rookie team Don Bosco, the only danger for the Panthers is an upset and that would be a different story in tomorrow's quest against the Jaguars.
In their losing debut against USJ-R, 73-112, it was apparent Don Bosco was still disorganized having played in the CESAFI for the first time. Obviously, coach Rudy Enterina must have already learned lessons from that defeat and made some adjustments for today's encounter with the Panthers.
They can count on some reliables including Moncrief Rogado, Randy Colonia, Bryan Travero, Dominic Ceniza, Jason Bartolabac, Marlon Demape and rookie center Cleford Maguate.
Mark Abarquez, Russel Litorja, Jefford Aldave, John Lester Sunga, Richard Vargas and Cyril Pedros are among the other Bosconians to watch.
Meanwhile, the revitalized Baby Warriors rely on Robert Gines Codilla, Dan Junior Bercede, Mark Daniel Caumeran, Nilton John Otida, Jose Adrianne Alocillo and John Philip delos Santos.
The Baby Lancers who wanted to bounce back from their 75-85 loss to USP-F last week, rely on their starting unit including Edrian Lao, Phil Mercader, Christian Camay, Roger Malig-on and Lymuel Malagar.