Gems test newcomer Keramix 5, eye 3rd win

Games today (JCSGO Gym, Quezon City)

1 p.m. – Cebuana Lhuillier vs Keramix

3 p.m. – MP Hotel vs Cagayan Valley

MANILA, Philippines - Cebuana Lhuillier tests newcomer Keramix mettle as they dispute the solo lead even as Cagayan Valley seeks its second win against MP Hotel in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the JCSGO gym in Cubao, QC today. 

The Mixers crushed the MP Hotel-Letran Knights, 87-60, then whipped Liver Marin, 89-71, to match the Gems’ hot start in the conference. But Keramix coach Caloy Garcia said they face a tall order against the towering Gems, who toughened up by acquiring Moala Tautuaa and Jackson Corpuz during the offseason.

“Even before the season started, I knew that Cebuana is the team to beat. It’s probably the strongest team on paper right now and the biggest team with Tautuaa and (Norbert) Torres in the line-up,” said Garcia.

Gametime is at 1 p.m.

“But we will just try to run. We’re not a tall squad, so we’ll try to make up for it by trying to speed up the pace,” said Garcia.

Cebuana mentor Boycie Zamar, however, downplayed their personnel advantage, maintaining it’s too early for them to be considered as favorites.

Ranged against the smaller Mixers, Zamar said they’re not taking any chances.

“Keramix is a strong team. Any team can win against any team in the D-League so that’s why we can’t take any team for granted.”

The Rising Suns, meanwhile, are heavily favored to get past the Knights in their 3 p.m. clash with the former raring to score a follow-up to their shaky 75-70 victory over the AMA U Titans last Monday.