Cebuna Lhuillier looks for tie atop D-League standings vs Big Chill; Junior Powerade, Cagayan tangle

Two of the league’s marquee teams in Cebuana Lhuillier and Big Chill battle Monday with an eye on one of the top two spots in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Fil Oil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The tiff between the two title contenders this conference is scheduled at 4 p.m.

The Gems look to tie NLEX for the early lead in the team standings and remain unbeaten after three games while the Superchargers go for their second win in a row under new head coach Robert Sison.

Luigi Trillo, the bench tactician for the Cebuana Lhuillier, has high regards for the Big Chill squad and will definitely come into the game prepared for the Superchargers.

“I have total respect for Big Chill,” said Trillo. “Robert Sison knows his basketball and on paper, they have three guys who I believe can make it in the PBA in Keith Jensen, Alex Mallari and Raffy Reyes.”

The Gems, behind the efforts of Aspirants Cup Best Player of the Conference Vic Manuel and Pari Llagas, overcame Boracay Rum, 70-58, last Tuesday for their second win of the competition.

The Superchargers, meanwhile, hiked their record to 2-1 after they ousted the Cagayan Rising Suns, 98-66, last Thursday overcoming their slow start at the beginning of the conference after the entry of Sison.

“I’m just happy that the guys are believing in my system,” said Sison.

A win over the Gems will give Big Chill a good boost as it will also place the Superchargers in solo second place heading into the Holy Week respite.

In the first game, Junior Powerade and the Cagayan Rising Suns face each other at 2 p.m. hoping to regain their winning attitude.

The Tigers and the Rising Suns fell to their opponents by a wide margin last week with Junior Powerade being beaten by NLEX, 86-53, last Tuesday.

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