Elite, Waves collide for D-League’s 2nd title slot

HOPING to avoid a repeat of last conference’s debacle, Blackwater Sports shoots for the last title berth against Boracay Rum today in the rubber match of their PBA D-League semifinal series at Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights.

“Nothing has changed in our goal to make the finals,” said Blackwater Sports coach Leo Isaac. “We’re just one win away from being there.”

The Elite take on the Waves at 3 p.m. with the winner advancing against NLEX in the best-of-three championship series.

“We just have to battle and battle and give it our best shot,” said Boracay coach Lawrence Chongson. “Hopefully, our resilience will make a difference again.”

The Elite claimed the semifinal opener with a 79-69 victory as Gio Ciriacruz and Allan Mangahas teamed up for 30 points.

But the Waves shut down Mangahas in Game 2 and leveled the series with a 69-65 decision.

NLEX advanced to the title round for the fifth straight time after sweeping Big Chill (66-59) and (80-71).

The Elite were also seeded second in the last conference and favored to cruise to the finals only to be stunned by Cagayan Valley.

Chongson thinks his Waves can pull off the same feat behind Maclean Sabellina, Ken Acibar and Paolo Taha.

Isaac hopes Mangahas would reprise his heroics in Game 1 where the veteran guard shone with an all-around game of 14 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Jasmine W. Payo