Rising Suns seek No. 3 vs Erasers

MANILA, Philippines - Surprise leader Cagayan Valley goes for win No. 3 as it takes on unfancied Erase Xfoliant even as Blackwater Sports debuts against Big Chill today in the PBA D-League Aspirant’s Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

The Rising Suns, who dropped all their nine games in the last conference, swept their first two matches and are fancied to get past the Erasers in their 2 p.m. encounter.

Cagayan Valley coach Alvin Pua, however, has opted to downplay their early surge.

“We won our first two games through breaks of the game. We still have a lot to improve. The boys still lack maturity. They have the tendency to rush things up that’s why we have so many turnovers,” said Pua. “The good thing is we always find ways to win.”

Pua said the team’s owner, Cagayan Valley Gov. Alvaro Antonio, is pleased with the Rising Sun’s performance.

Christopher Eximiniano has normed 20-plus points in the first two games and is expected to lead the Rising Suns’ charge against the Erasers, who are coming off a 71-101 blowout loss to the defending champion NLEX Road Warriors last week.

The match between Big Chill and Blackwater Sports also promises to be fierce, according to Superchargers coach Robert Sison.   

“Blackwater, with its UST core, is a strong team and, to beat them we must bring and play our A-game,” said Sison.

He said Blackwater Sports’ Karim Abdul is a force to reckon with in the paint and it will take a great effort from his front court to contain the Cameroonian center.