Bakers, Giants fancied to take semis berths

Games Thursday (Ynares Arena, Pasig City)

2 p.m. – Bread Story-Lyceum vs Café France

4 p.m. – Jumbo Plastic vs Cebuana Lhuillier

MANILA, Philippines - Third-seed Café France and fourth-ranked Jumbo Plastic seek a repeat against Bread Story-Lyceum and Cebuana Lhuillier, respectively, in a pair of quarterfinal matches today to determine the last two semifinalists in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.

The Bakers and the Pirates clash at 2 p.m. while the Giants and the Gems collide at 4 p.m. at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.

Café France and Jumbo Plastic enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage although they are expected to easily dispatch their rivals to advance to the next round.

Top seed Cagayan Valley and No.2 Hapee earned outright passage to the semifinals as incentive for finishing in the Top 2 at the end of the elimination round.

“It feels good to have an advantage in the quarters. This is a first for us and it really adds up to the confidence of the players. Right now I would say they’re focused and motivated to make the next round,” said Café France coach Egay Macaraya.

His only worry according to Macaraya is his team’s lack of killer instinct. But he noted that the Bakers have improved on their character and showed some consistency the past couple of games.

Café France routed Bred Story-Lyceum, 88-74, in the eliminations. Apparently, that loss serves as motivation for the Pirates according to their coach Bonnie Tan.

“We’re the only newcomer to reach this far and the guys want to prove they belong in this league,” said Tan, who revealed that he is leaving the team after the conference. “We’re happy with what we have achieved but we are not yet done.”