THE door remains wide open for the four teams battling it out to advance to the title series of the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League Aspirants Cup.
Significantly, it marks the first since the league’s inception in 2010 that both semifinal series need a deciding Game Three to determine which teams march to the Finals.
Certainly, that should make Tuesday’s matchups featuring Racal, Cafe France, Tanduay and Cignal a certified draw.
The two do-or-die games will take place at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City with the Bakers colliding with the Tile Masters at 3 o’clock and the Hawkeyes taking on the Rhum Masters at 5 p.m.
Cafe France and Cignal lived another day with contrasting victories in Game Two of their respective matchups last Thursday.
With momentum and psychological advantage on their side, Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya thinks the team’s previous experience in the Final Four should be more than enough for the Bakers to get through the Championship.
“Hopefully, the players will realize that this is a life-changing moment for them and that our destiny is to make it back to the Finals,” Macaraya said.
Cignal coach Boyet Fernandez is also optimistic about their chances to advance to the title series, saying he believes the Hawkeyes possess the same attributes of the defunct NLEX team that captured six D-League titles.
“It all boils down as to who wants it more. By now the guys know well that Tanduay is no pushover. So we have to be consistent and stay focused the entire game,” Fernandez offered.
Jerry Codinera, the unassuming coach of the Tile Masters, maintains that this series is about patience.
“I keep telling the players to keep things simple. Anything can happen so we have to keep our poise,” he said.
Although their Finals aspiration hangs in the balance, Tanduay coach Lawrence Chongson believes his troops’ desire and determination will get them to the next level.
“Our desire to make it back to the Finals is an understatement,” Chongson said. “We know it won’t be handed to us on a silver platter. We have to dig deep, bite and claw to survive. Whatever it takes, I’m very confident of our chances.”