Big Chill, Cagayan clash in key duel

MANILA, Philippines - Big Chill resumes its drive for solo second and the other outright semifinal berth as it battles contender Cagayan Valley even as Boracay Rum and Erase Xfoliant tangle in a duel of struggling teams in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Arellano gym in Legarda today.

The Superchargers have dropped back-to-back games against the NLEX Warriors and the Fruitas Shakers, enabling the Blackwater Sports Elite to gain a share of second at 5-3. Big Chill, however, faces a tough rival in Cagayan Valley, which is also going all out for a win to boost its 4-3 mark for a crack at the second outright semifinal berth.

Gametime is at 2 p.m.

Defending champion NLEX took the first outright semis seat with a league-leading 9-1 slate with Big Chill and Blackwater fighting it out for the other spot.

In the other game, Boracay Rum and Erase Xfoliant collide at 4 p.m., seek an all-important win to keep their flickering playoff hopes alive.

Boracay Rum and Erase Xfoliant are tied for ninth with 2-5 marks.

Terrence Romeo scored 21 points and Mar Villahermosa tallied 19 as Big Chill actually bounced back from two defeats with an 88-68 rout over Erase Xfoliant last Dec 18. But the Superchargers are expected to face stiff challenge from the Rising Suns, who are out to check their skid after dropping their last two games in close fashions.