Games Wednesday (Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym, Manila)
12 noon — Gensan vs Cobra
2 p.m. — Opening Ceremonies
2:30 p.m. — Ascof Lagundi vs Forward Taguig

Ascof Lagundi hopes to be lucky on its third try as it hosts the fifth leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) this Wednesday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym in Manila.

The Natural Cough Busters will be joined by Cobra Energy Drink, MP Pacman Gensan and debuting Forward Taguig in the latest leg of this tournament jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League and Liga Pilipinas.

Gensan and Cobra collide in the curtain raiser at 12 noon before Ascof and Taguig meet in the main game at 2:30 p.m. following a simple opening rites.

Although they are currently in third place with 17 points, the Cough Busters have yet to win a leg after finishing second to M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu in the first leg and to Treston Laguna in the third leg.

But the squad of Carlo Tan, led by Edwin Asoro, Sean Co, Rob Labagala and former PBL MVP Vic Manuel, expects a stiff challenge from Cobra.

The Ironmen, led by former University of the East cagers Elmer Espiritu, Pari Llagas and Rudy Lingganay, won the General Santos City leg but were a big disappointment in the Mandaue leg when they loss all their four games.

The Warriors, owned by boxing champ and Sarangani congressman Manny Pacquiao, placed third in both the Gensan and Mandaue legs, and are eager to perform better this time around behind John Gonzaga, Louie Medalla, and Erian Daja.

Forward Taguig is the last team to make its debut in the TOP. They finished sixth in the Liga Pilipinas Conference III a year ago.

The champion team receives 10 points, five points go to the runner-up while third and fourth placers take three and one points, respectively. Teams receive a point per each win while a squad that sweeps the elimination round will gain an additional two-point bonus.