MOMENTUM is what Cignal-Ateneo and Petron-Letran both want when they collide on Thursday in the 2019 PBA D-League at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The two teams are tied for third place with Che'Lu Bar in the Aspirants Group with 3-1 win-loss cards and are seeking to bolster their chances for the playoffs when they meet at 2 p.m.
For Cignal-Ateneo, it's a matter of shaking off the cobwebs after being on the shelf for three weeks, with its last win a 111-81 drubbing of AMA Online Education last March 14.
Ange Kouame fired 22 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in that bounce back win, where coach Tab Baldwin reminded the Blue Eagles to maintain their focus regardless of the opponent.
"We have to come out and do your best every game," he said, expecting another big game from seniors Thirdy Ravena, Isaac Go, and Matt Nieto.
Petron-Letran, meanwhile, is on a roll with a three-game winning streak, the latest against Family Mart-Enderun, 77-73, on March 26.
Alvin Pasaol again led the Knights with 24 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, but coach Bonnie Tan is bracing for another tough outing against the reigning UAAP champion.
"Lahat naman ng teams are very competitive dito sa PBA D-League, so we have no other option and we'll prepare well for Ateneo," he said.
Skidding teams Batangas-EAC (1-3) and Go for Gold-CSB (1-3) part ways when they collide at 12 p.m., as Diliman College-Gerry's Grill (3-1) and Metropac-San Beda (3-1) both aim to rise in the Foundation Group at 4 p.m.