Big Chill, Freego begin D-League quarterfinal bids

THE BIG CHILL and Freego Jeans will be gunning for seats in the semifinals as they take on different opponents at the start of the quarterfinal round of the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The fourth-seeded Big Chill takes on no.5 Blackwater at 2 p.m. while third-ranked Freego Jeans plays no.6 seed Boracay Rum at 4 p.m.

The Superchargers and the Jeans Makers enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage, but coaches Leo Isaac of Blackwater and Lawrence Chongson of Boracay Rum are optimistic they could survive the odds.

“The guys are enjoying the game again so baka maiba ang istorya sa Thursday,” Isaac said.

Big Chill closed out its elimination round campaign with a 58-55 victory against Blackwater last Thursday. Their rematch will be a lot different, though.

“We expect Blackwater to come out with a lot of aggressiveness and intensity, so we can’t be complacent,” said Big Chill coach Arsenio Dysangco.

Big Chill starting guard Raffy Reyes, who was out during their game against Blackwater because of conjunctivitis, is expected to return to the rotation.

The Elite routed Pacific Pipes, 65-48, on Tuesday to snap a six-game losing skid and advance to the quarterfinals.

Freego Jeans also won against Boracay Rum in the elimination round but Chongson believes the Waves will be able to survive the challenge in the quarterfinals.

“We need to build on the momentum that we have acquired from our knockout game (against PC Gilmore) and carry that momentum against Freego Jeans.” /Correspondent Jonas Panerio