PBA D-League: NLEX in finals; Big Chill stays alive
MANILA, Philippines –After grabbing the No. 1 spot at the end of the eliminations, NLEX also became the first team to reach the finals of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Thursday.
The Road Warriors started strong as in Game 1 of the semifinal series and overpowered Hog’s Breath Cafe, 85-72, at Ynares Sports Arena.
“I’m happy we got this one as early as possible,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. “If we gave Hog’s a chance to come back, they could be a very strong team.”
But the Road Warriors, who advanced to the finals for the sixth straight time since the league’s inaugural, will have to wait for their opponent next week as Big Chill forged a deciding Game 3 following a 95-84 drubbing of Blackwater Sports in the other semifinal pairing.
Dexter Maiquez fired 25 points to power the Superchargers in a huge second-quarter assault where they outscored the Elite, 32-14.
The do-or-die Game 3 is set at 3 p.m. on Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
“We didn’t back down,” said coach Robert Sison after his Superchargers rebounded from a Game 1 loss, 72-84, last Tuesday.
The Elite came within seven points, 84-77, going into the last three minutes, but the Superchargers responded with a strong windup.
Leading MVP candidate Garvo Lanete paced NLEX’s attack with 16 points and six rebounds.
The scores:
First Game
BIG CHILL 95—Maiquez 25, Baloria 13, Apinan 13, Cervantes 8, Canlas 8, Villahermosa 8, Mirza 6, Brondial 6, Santos 4, Heruela 2, Lozada 2, Belleza 0.
BLACKWATER SPORTS 84—A. Mangahas 21, Llagas 20, Ferrer 15, Ciriacruz 12, Bulawan 7, Cruz 4, Manguera 2, Austria 2, Bagatsing 1, Pe 0.
Quarters: 23-26, 55-40, 73-61, 95-84
Second Game
NLEX 85—Lanete 16, Ganuelas 14, J. Pascual 11, Alas 9, R. Pascual 8, Dela Cruz 6, K. Pascual 6, Hermida 6, Raymundo 4, Adeogun 4, Dela Rosa 1.
HOG’S BREATH CAFE 72—Robles 18, Racal 13, Ruaya 11, Publico 7, Sanga 6, Paniamogan 5, Austria 3, Gabawan 3, Rios 2, Allera 2, Macasaet 2.
Quarters: 20-8, 40-28, 69-44, 85-72
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