MANILA, Philippines - Hapee tries to keep the momentum of its three-game romp with a complete lineup as it shoots for the solo lead against newcomer Bread Story-Lyceum at resumption of the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig today.
The Fresh Fighters hope to come out strong from a long rest after thumping the MJM Builders, 79-66, last week as they tangle with the Bread Story-LPU side in the 2 p.m. contest with their mainstays.
Seven of Hapee’s players – San Beda’s Ola Adeogun, Baser Amer, Art dela Cruz, Ryusei Koga, Jaypee Mendoza, Michole Sorela and National University’s U Troy Rosario – were in Cebu over the weekend to play for their respective schools in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League.
But all vowed to show up against the resurgent Pirates who are coming off a big 69-64 upset of the Tanduay Light Rhummakers last Thursday.
But the Pirates will not only have to contend with the 6-foot-9 Adeogun but also the versatile Bobby Ray Parks. The two are Hapee’s top scorers with norms of 12 and 11 points, respectively, after three games.
“We still lack consistency. We have this tendency to squander big leads in the second half,” said Hapee mentor Ronnie Magsanoc. “(Bread Story) is a tough team and its two losses were close games. So we can’t take them for granted. We have to stay focused and hopefully get another win.”