September 15, 2019

Engineers hope to stay sharp, eye semis berth

TECHNOLOGICAL University of the Philippines plots a quick trek to the semifinals when it battles Black Mamba in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup quarterfinals Monday at Paco Arena.

The Engineers, Group B's no.2-seed with a 5-1 record, aim to maximize their twice-to-beat incentive against the Energy Drink in the 3:30 p.m. tiff.

TIP, though, is coming off a near-one month layoff, last playing in August 19 in a 105-95 conquest of Alberei.

Coach Potit De Vera, however, is confident that his wards won't be affected by such break.

"We've played some tune-ups during the break so I don't think it will be an issue," said De Vera, who will rely on Senegalese big man Papa Ndiaye and twin towers Bryan Santos and Ivan Santos.

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"Handa naman ang players natin and they know what's at stake."

The Engineers have the edge over the Energy Drink since they handed them a 110-99 defeat last August 15, but that only motivates coach Vis Valencia and his wards to pull off an upset.

"Dapat 3-0 kami noon but we fell short," recalled Valencia, as Black Mamba fought back from 28-points down and knocked to within just five only for TIP to halt the rally and come out with the 11-point win.

Adding hunger to Black Mamba is the stinging 90-94 loss it received from McDavid-La Salle Araneta last September 6, which is definitely not a good way to head into the quarters.

Expected to spearhead the Energy Drink's upset bid are John Tayongtong, Jett Vidal, and Bobby Balucanag.

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