RCPI Negros vs Casino Cagayan

Co-leaders RCPI Negros and Cebuana Lhuillier try to get back on track when they tackle separate opponents today in the MBA First Conference at the RMC Gym in Davao City.

RCPI Negros faces Casino Cagayan de Oro at 4 p.m. followed by the Cebuana Lhuillier-Professional Davao tussle at 6:30 p.m.

Coming off losses in their last games, RCPI Negros and Cebuana Lhuillier need victories today to move closer toward the two-semifinal berths in the Southern Conference. They carry similar 5-win, 2-loss records.

Both teams, however, may be in for a rough ride.

The Cebuana Lhuillier Gems, despite their home court advantage, were tested to the hilt before downing the Professional Davao Eagles, 107-103, on April 8.

The RCPI Negros Slashers had an even tougher time disposing off the Casino Cagayan de Oro Amigos, 84-83, in their first meeting in April 25 at the Mindanao Polytechnic Gym.

Professional Davao and Casino Cagayan de Oro have gone separate ways since then.

The Eagles have taken their last two games and are now breathing down the necks of the Slashers and the Gems at 5-3, while the Amigos are out of the running at 1-7.

Getting offensive sock from Cid White and Bong Marata, the Eagles tripped the Slashers, 87-77, and followed it up with a 77-60 conquest of the LBC Batangas Blades on April 30.

White averaged 19.5 points and 12 rebounds in the twin victories while Marata backed him up with an 18-point average.

Cebuana Lhuillier, which yielded to Olongapo (112-110) on Tuesday, will again bank on Bruce Dacia, Jercules Tangkay, Stephen Padilla, Chris de Jesus and Egay Echaves to repeat over Davao and virtually snare a semis seat.

Today’s games will be telecast over National Broadcasting Network 4 from 6-11 p.m. tomorrow.