COLUMBIAN Dyip hopes to extend its giant-killing ways in the PBA Philippine Cup as it takes on NLEX next on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Although still winless in three outings, the Road Warriors are among the fancy bets in the season-opening conference following its off-season deal that netted them Mythical 2nd Team member John Paul Erram.
But the Dyip's morale is obviously on the high entering the 4:30 p.m. encounter owing to their 110-100 drubbing of erstwhile league-leader NorthPort on Friday, dealing the Batang Pier their first loss in three outings for a tie with their tormentors in the standings.
"I told them we can beat any strong team in the PBA if you will trust together, if we continue to be patient on defense, lalo na sa opensa namin," said coach Johnedel Cardel of his team, which stunned defending champion San Miguel, 124-118, in its opening game.
Seven players finished in double figures for Columbian led by the trio of Jackson Corpuz, Reden Celda, and rookie Jeepy Faundo, each with 15 points against the Batang Pier.
"Basta every game is very important for us," added Cardel.
But so is for NLEX.
Although coach Yeng Guiao is not about to push the panic button, he wouldn't want the Road Warriors fall to a 0-4 record before the team go into a week-long break.
"It's still early. I'm not losing hope," said Guiao, whose team is coming off an 85-80 loss to TnT Katropa.
Despite the slow start, the NLEX coach believes it takes just a breakthrough win for the Road Warriors to finally get going.
"I feel that we'll be okay if we gain momentum. We're focusing on getting just our first win. We hope we can do that (this Sunday)," said Guiao.
"Then we have a one week break. We'll regroup after that, but we need to break through on Sunday." (RG)