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PBA D-League: Flying V, Cignal look to close out semis foes

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/08/15/081517_teng.jpg"/><figcaption>Flying V tries to close out a dangerous CEU squad in the semifinals. Arvin Lim, <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – After winning in contrasting fashions in Game 1 of their respective semifinals series, favored Flying V and Cignal HD will try to secure a finals showdown in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup on Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.Flying V remains unbeaten in the conference, but coach Eric Altamirano has consistently warned against complacency as he anticipated tougher games ahead.The soft-spoken coach was proven right last Thursday, when Centro Escolar University (CEU) gave the Thunder all they could handle before Flying V eked out a 65-61 Game 1 win in their best-of-3 semifinals series.&quot;I think that&#x27;s why it&#x27;s called the playoffs,&quot; Altamirano said. &quot;Tumaas talaga &#x27;yung level ng CEU.&quot;After pulling off an escape last week, Flying V will gun for another victory on Tuesday that will send it to the championship round.For the Thunder to do that, they first need to be able to stop the behemoth that is CEU center Rod Ebondo down low.&quot;We need to do a better job controlling the rebounds and blocking out their bigs. We just have to continue doing that. We&#x27;re gonna need that especially in the second game and we hope na matapatan namin yung level nila,&quot; said Altamirano.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2017/08/11/flying-v-eyeing-continued-dominance-d-league-29600">READ: Flying V eyeing continued dominance in D-League</a></li></ul>The Congolese Ebondo is keeping a positive attitude as he hopes to help CEU be the first team to beat Flying V, and equalize the best-of-3 series after his stellar 20-point, 27-rebound performance in Game 1.&quot;In basketball, nothing is impossible,&quot; he said. &quot;We just have to deal with it and focus on the next game. This is a do-or-die for us.&quot;&quot;We just have to come back stronger,&quot; Ebondo added. &quot;We hope that we give our best and play hard to force a Game 3.&quot;Ebondo is hoping to draw more contributions from teammates JK Casiño and Aaron Jeruta, while Altamirano will again rely on Jeron Teng, Eric Salamat, and Gab Banal.Game time is at 5 p.m.In the other series, Cignal HD eyes a second straight finals appearance when it clashes against Marinerong Pilipino at 3 p.m.Coach Boyet Fernandez is also bracing for a tough game, especially with the way the Skippers fought back from a 24-point deficit before the Hawkeyes held on to an 86-67 Game 1 decision on Thursday.&quot;Marinero is always there in the game even though they were down by so many points. It will be tough again facing them because I&#x27;m pretty sure that coach Koy (Banal) will really prepare hard for us,&quot; he said.&quot;We’ll watch the tape and look what are our advantages and really try to be methodical enough to really prepare against Marinerong Pilipino,&quot; he added.Raymar Jose, Jason Perkins, and Pamboy Raymundo will be counted on again to lead the fight for Cignal.Coach Koy Banal, on the other hand, is seeking to draw more contributions from his studs Robbie Herndon, John Lopez, and Mark Isip after a largely inefficient showing in the first game.&quot;I just asked the players if they really want to play, if they still have the desire to play in the semis. We’ve seen their capabilities and we did not play in our maximum potential. That’s what we’re expecting from them to bring in on Tuesday,&quot; he said.For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com" target="_blank">Sports website.</a>

After winning in contrasting fashions in Game 1 of their respective semifinals series, favored Flying V and Cignal HD will try to secure a Finals showdown in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup on Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

After winning in contrasting fashions in Game 1 of their respective semifinals series, favored Flying V and Cignal HD will try to secure a Finals showdown in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup on Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.