CIGNAL’S campaign in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Developmental League Foundation Cup didn’t get off the way it would have wanted it.
In a game pitting two early favorites, the Hawkeyes absorbed an 84-86 loss to newcomer Flying V in a thrilling finish reminiscent of their opener in the Aspirants’ Cup.
Needless to say, the reigning Aspirants’ Cup champions are looking to bounce back from that painful defeat when they battle the Tanduay Rhum Masters today.
The 5 p.m. encounter at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City is a rematch of last conference’s semifinal between the two teams.
In the first game, last conference’s runner-up, Racal Motors, tests its new-look crew against a retooled AMA Online Education at 3 p.m.
“Hopefully, we’ve learned our lesson,” offered Cignal Coach Boyet Fernandez, who appeared incensed after the shocking loss.
“Basically, we’re still a new team so we’re still working on our chemistry. Hopefully, we could speed up the process,” Fernandez explained.
Cignal play its next six games in a span of three weeks.
“It’s tough but we will find a way,” he said.
Fernandez is keeping his fingers crossed that the trio counting of Jason Perkins, Raymar Jose and Pamboy Raymundo would stay consistent and helped the team barge into the win column.
Perkins, a potential first round pick in the upcoming PBA Annual Draft, collected 22 points, Raymar Jose had 19 and 14 rebounds, while Pamboy Raymundo added 14 in the opener.
After another failed bid to win its first league title, Tanduay made some movements during the in-between conference break in the hope to finally assemble potential champion team.
The Rhum Masters reacquired veteran guard Joseph Terso and some stability in the middle and wing departments by netting rebound monster JR Taganas and the sweet shooting John Von Tambeling.
Like Cignal, Tanduay is also looking for redemption.
“They [Hawkeyes] eliminated us from the semifinal last conference. Obviously, I would want nothing more than a payback,” Tanduay Coach Lawrence Chongson declared.