September 18, 2019

Saints hope rematch with Scorpions will have different ending


BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare renews its rivalry against Centro Escolar University when the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup semifinals commence on Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Game One of the best-of-three series is at 1:30 p.m.

The Saints are in the midst of a seven-game winning streak, the last a 180-117 drubbing of Hyperwash last Monday that paved the way for their entry into the penultimate phase.

In the process, they broke a slew of D-League records in that win including the highest points tallied in a game, but coach Stevenson Tiu is concerned with his side not being tested enough for the semis.

"Happy na pumasok kami sa semis but I'm concerned dahil hindi kami na-push to the limit," said Tiu, whose team has won by an average of 36.57 points through the course of the second conference. "I don't think we can do it sa semis."
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What the veteran mentor can bank on is the hunger his wards have, with team's nucleus made up of the St. Clare squad that bowed to CEU in last conference's semis.

"Yun ang pinaguusapan namin. Para dun sa mga bata yun ang gusto nila na makabawi sa CEU," said Tiu.

Meanwhile, Scorpions coach Derrick Pumaren isn't willing to rest on his laurels as he knows that this will be a different Saints team from the one they vanquished the last time out.

BRT Sumisip-St. Clare added veterans Alfred Bati?o and Hesed Gabo for its title bid, and for Pumaren, those new faces further puts his young CEU team at a disadvantage.

"It's not the same St. Clare with the additions. Medyo disadvantage dahil my players are still young," said Pumaren, who will rely on Malick Diouf and Rich Guinitaran. "But we can't be intimidated."
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