Perpetual aching to bounce back in D-League

SECOND-RUNNING University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle collide at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The Altas are determined to bounce back from a disappointing 66-64 loss against Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda last Thursday for their first loss in the tournament.

Meanwhile, EcoOil-La Salle is aiming for a second straight win since its 10867 rout of PSP Gymers last May 4.

The matchup promises to be close and physical. The winner joins idle San Beda (3-1) atop the team standings.

In the first game, Centro Escolar U (11) looks to make it two in a row when it battles Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers— Letran (0-1) and at 2 p.m.

The return of head coach Topex Robinson after a two-week scouting trip in the United States should motivate the Green Archers.

Reportedly though, Robinson will attend the game only as an observer and have relegated the coaching chores to deputy Gian Nazario until the remainder of their D-League campaign.

“The reason why we joined the DLeague is for experience. We’re gonna win some, we’re gonna lose some but we always move forward,” said Nazario.

The Green Archers will be without brothers Mike and Ben Phillips, who are currently serving the national team. But Kevin Quiambao, CJ Austria, Joshua David and Francis Escandor back now that the UAAP 3x3 championship is over.

“Mas mabigat na itong mga next games namin. Kaya kailangan mas handa kami,” said Altas mentor Myk Saguiguit after absorbing their first defeat in three games against MarineroSan Beda.

Coaches Rensy Bajar of Letran and Jeff Perlas of CEU also claimed their respectives teams are focused on winning ranked No. 3 in the centerpiece 18-U division, turned back second seed Alfonso Infante, 6-4, 6-4, in the semis then hacked out a similar 6-4, 6-4 triumph over No. 1 and doubles partner Vince Serna to match his equally impressive “double” romps in the Iloilo, Roxas City, Bacolod and Imus legs of the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/ CEO Bobby Castro.

“Our mindset moving forward is to play solid defense against CEU. We will continue what we have started these past three years which is defense. As early as now, we’re building a one-team winners’ mindset,” said Bajar, who took over from Bonnie Tan this offseason.

The top-seeded Kimi Brodeth, on the other hand, resumed her winning ways coming off a break as the Ormoc City star, who swept the three-leg Visayan swing last March, foiled No. 2 Chloe Mercado from QC twice, 6-2, 7-5, in the girls’ 16-U championship. She then bounced back from an opening set setback to pull off a 3-6, 6-2, 10-4 escape in the 18-U finals and share the MVP honors with Baisa. Other winners in the week-long event, organized by Brookside Tennis Club president Allan del Castillo, were Ormoc’s Kenzo Brodeth, Gabrio Serillo from Dumaguete City, Olongapo’s Cadee Dagoon, Ayl Xyza Gonzaga from Zambales, and Kian Cansana from Valle Verde Country Club.

Meanwhile, action shifts to Pampanga for the Zentro Juniors Group I on May 25-29 at the Zentro Recreational Center courts in Apalit. For details and listup, contact tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Kenzo Brodeth outwitted top seed Licayan, 5-7, 6-2, 10-7, in the boys’ 14-U finals; the No. 1 Serillo routed Dean Palaroan, 6-2, 6-2, for the boys’ 12-U trophy; the top seeded Dagoon clipped Ave Maria Policarpio, 6-2, 6-3, for the girls’ 14-U crown; the No. 2 Gonzaga humbled top seeded Kylie Cautivo, 7-6(6), 1-6, 10-5, for the girls’ 12-U diadem; and the unranked Cansana stunned top seed Naeem Serillo, 4-0, 4-0, in the quarterfinals, ripped No. 3 and doubles partner Claera Hosaka, 4-0, 4-1, in the semis, then survived No. 4 Gabriel Vitaliano, 4-0, 0-4, 10-6, in the 10-unisex finals.

Kimi Brodeth and Baisa actually made it a three-title feat as former teamed up with Dagoon to beat Mercado and Xophia Oliveros in the 18-U doubles. Baisa and Serna trounced Kenzo Brodeth and Licayan, while Samuel Davila and Joshua Stewart toppled Kristian Brazal and Ronnier Ferrer for the 14-U crown.

Naeem Serillo and Tyronne Caro also foiled Cansana and Hosana (10-unisex), while Dagoon and Gonzaga captured the girls’ 14-U trophy over Oliveros and Jasmine Sardona.