Having accomplished a four-game win streak, including a defaulted game by the Bacchus Energy Drink, Tribu Sugbu could own the best winning streak in the league with a win over Montaña tonight.
Sporting a 5-3 win-loss record (20-4 at home), Tribu Sugbu of coach Al Solis could still make it into the top two and take a bye during the quarterfinals depending on the performances of the other teams from the South. The farthest it could land will be at third place overall and that will save them from going into the playoffs.
And the way things are, it seemed like Tribu Sugbu is no longer affected with the departure of Joseph Ronald Quiñahan and Ronaldo Bucao to the PBL because those left behind have shown enough spirit to lift their team to its current status.
Mark Ababon, for example, had been showing big time moves in big time games particularly against the Pagadian Explorers, whom they beat last week, 82-80, pacing with 25 points and brining ex-PBA star Nelson "The Bull" Asaytono early into the shower room with five fouls.
Ably backing-up Ababon is silent operator Jerome Gadiane, a cool guy blessed with hot shooting hands who can very well compliment to Joel Co, Doroteo Almacin, Vergel Abelong and Gaylord Santos.
The towering 6-8 Rino Berame is also a hero in his own right because his presence in the post is just enough to intimidate the rivals from making shots at the undergoal.
Berame is on top of the center rotation for Tribu Sugbu aside from Randy Sevilla, Marvin Mercado and Nyok de Guzman. Tribu Sugbu is also getting support from Solis' crew from ACES in the likes of Ross Ceniza, TJ Caparros and Enting Ramoneda.