B Story-Lyceum eyes QF vs Racal

MANILA, Philippines - Bread Story-Lyceum takes a shot at the last quarterfinal berth when it faces Racal Motors at the close of the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup eliminations on Monday.

Needless to say, the Tanduay Light Rhum Masters, their quarterfinal aspirations hanging in the balance, will be rooting for the Alibaba.

Sitting at seventh place behind the Rhum Masters (5-6), the Pirates (4-6) could advance in the next round with a victory in the scheduled 2 p.m. encounter at the Marikina Sport Complex.

Bread Story-Lyceum holds the advantage in case of a tie between the two teams because the Pirates defeated the Rhum Masters, 69-64, in their only meeting on Nov. 13.

The quarterfinals start Thursday with third-seed Café France playing either Tanduay Light or Bread Story-Lyceum and No. 4 Jumbo Plastic taking on Cebuana Lhuillier.

The Pirates are seeking a bounce back victory following its 78-90 loss to the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems last week that snapped their two-game run.

“We’re taking it one game at a time. It would be nice if we could make it to the next round but we can’t underestimate [Racal],” said Bread Story-Lyceum coach Bonnie Tan.

The Alibaba (3-7) are out of the playoff race but their desire to improve on their standing makes them dangerous.

In the other game, league-leader Cagayan Valley goes for a sweep of the eliminations when it battles Wangs Basketball at 4 p.m.