CAFÉFRANCE and Caida Tiles cross paths on Thursday in matchup pitting the coleaders of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) D-Leagues Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
After three games that looked more like a scrimmage for the Bakers, Coach Egay Macaraya is expecting to walk the tightrope against the Tile Masters, who are as disciplined and experienced as the reigning Foundation Cup champions.
The Bakers opened the season with a 24-point victory against newcomer Mindanao, then manhandled BDO-National University (NU) with the same winning margin two days later. Last week they practically had a walk in the park in a 94-73 rout of University of the Philippines (UP)-Jam Liner.
“The boys played very well. And they executed our game plan the way they’re supposed to,” said Macaraya of their third straight win.
But he is convinced his troop will have to bring their A-Game against the Tile Masters if they intend to extend their winning streak.
“We have to be a lot more disciplined when we play Caida. They are a playoff-bound team and very well coached. We can’t afford to make a lot of mistakes. This is the type of challenge we’ve been waiting for, I just hope these guys would bring their A-Game,” Macaraya said.
The Tile Masters were also impressive through three games but needed big late runs to hold off their rivals.
In their last game, the Tile Masters blew a 15-point advantage and needed a late push from guard Jio Jalalon and center Jayson Perkins, the top pick of last year’s rookie draft, to survive a late charge by Wang’s Basketball and escape with a 110-102 decision on February 2.
“We’re just lucky we were able to hit the big shots in the end. The thing with close games like this is we got to learn from it, experience it, and be better the next time,” Caida Tiles Coach Caloy Garcia offered.
Game time between the league’s second best offensive and top defensive teams is set at 4 p.m. following the 2 o’clock encounter between Tanduay Rhum and Wang’s Basketball.
Caida Tiles averages 101 points per outing while Cafe France hold opponent to 91 points per game.
The Rhum Masters snapped a two-game slump with a 95-56 demolition of newcomer Mindanao Aguilas last week.
“I believe that we have the right pieces and we showed that today. This is a good moral boost for the team. We just have to believe,” Tanduay Rhum Coach Lawrence Chongson said.
They’ve got to because they will surely have a tough time against Wangs Basketball, a team aching to bounce back from their second loss in three games.