Hapee, Cagayan seek to extend win streak

MANILA, Philippines - Unbeaten Hapee and Cagayan Valley try to bring their win run into the new year as they take on separate rivals at the resumption of the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup today at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.

Coming off a 13-day holiday break, the Fresh Fighters tangle with the Racal Motors Alibaba at 2 p.m., looking for their ninth straight victory while the Rising Suns gun for their eighth win in row against the AMA University Titans in the 12 noon opener of another triplebill.

Jumbo Plastic, meanwhile, tries to check its skid as it faces a surging Tanduay Light at 4 p.m.

Hapee wound up its 2014 campaign with an 84-63 rout of MP Hotel last Dec. 22 to clinch the first semis berth with an 8-0 mark. 

Led by Bobby Ray Parks, the Fresh Fighters are fancied to get past the Racal Motors side (2-6) which has lost two successive games and three of its last four to bow out of the playoff race.

Cagayan Valley, which clinched the other outright semis slot with a 7-0 slate, is also tipped to cruise past the AMA U quintet, which totes a 3-5 card. 

Led by 6-foot-9 Moala Tautuaa, the Risings Suns are certainly a tough matchup for the Titans, who are also going all out to stay in the hunt for a quarterfinal berth.  

The Giants (5-3), slowed down by injuries to Jan Colina and McLean Sabellina and the loss of guards Brian Heruela and Janus Lozada, have lost two of their last three games, including a 74-82 setback to the Rising Suns last Dec. 15.

In contrast, Tanduay Light is gunning for its fourth straight win as it tries to improve on its 4-4 mark to stay on track for a Top 4 finish and a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.