THE CAGAYAN Valley Rising Suns aim to make it to the semifinal round in an outright fashion but will have to hurdle two assignments starting with the Fruitas Shakers today in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup over at the Jose Rizal University gym in Mandaluyong.
The Suns are a game and a half out from second place behind Blackwater Sports, who tote a 6-2 (win-loss) record.
Cagayan inched closer last week when they defeated Big Chill, 77-59. The NLEX Road Warriors are the first team assured of a seat in the semifinals by virtue of their league-leading 9-1 card.
The Rising Suns test the mettle of the Shakers at 2 p.m. The other game pits JRU against skidding Erase Xfoliant at 4 p.m.
Fruitas will be playing for the second straight game without prized center, Ola Adeogun.
The Shakers also need to win their last two games to stay in the running for a quarterfinal spot. But the prospect looks bleak with the absence of the 6-8 center.
Adeogun missed last week’s 64-100 loss to JRU due to a recurring injury in his right foot.
The Shakers will also be without forward Martin Antonio, who will be serving his one-game suspension for his flagrant foul penalty 2 against JRU guard John Villarias. He also was fined P5,000 by PBA Commissioner Chito Salud. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio