Games today:
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
9 a.m. — Marinero vs Apex Fuel
11 a.m. — EcoOil vs Adalem

Four teams will clash for a crucial headstart as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) D-League Aspirants Cup best-of-three semifinals kicks off today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tip-off is at 9 a.m. as top seed Apex Fuel-San Sebastian and Marinerong Pilipino open the Final Four duel, succeeded by the tussle between EcoOil- La Salle and Adalem Construction- St. Clare at 11 a.m.
But all eyes will be on the Stags.

San Sebastian, a typical mid-tier early in the eliminations, suddenly raised their game to claim the top spot on a 5-2 card and an outright semifinal berth in the tourney.

The Stags will try to exact payback after the Skippers handed them their first loss in their opening of the tournament.

San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya said their positioning no longer matters as they know that they need to build a stonewall defense against Marinerong Pilipino's heavy artillery.

The Skippers gave the Stags a rude welcome when they posted a 86-84 squeaker in their opening match on 9 July.

"They're tough opponents so we should be prepared especially on defense," Macaraya said, hoping his veteran cagers Ichie Altamirano, Romel Calahat and Rhinwil Yambing will anchor the team to a crucial win.