Although NLEX hasn’t dropped a finals game in all its four title runs, that doesn’t make the Road Warriors any more confident when they shoot for the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Championship against the Blackwater Sports Elite starting today.
The Road Warriors, in fact, know that their seeming invincibility only challenges their opponents to end their reign.
“[Blackwater] is a strong and well-coached team,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. “So defense will be an important factor. Whoever makes stops in the end will win Game 1 and probably the championship.”
The Road Warriors and the Elite—the top two seeds who advanced to the finals in contrasting fashions—battle in Game 1 of the best-of-three series at 3 p.m. at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“I keep telling my boys that to make a mark in this league, you have to challenge NLEX [in the finals],” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac. “This is the time to do it.”
The return of the seven-foot Greg Slaughter, though, late in the eliminations has made the Road Warriors even more formidable as the Road Warriors streaked to 11 straight wins after a surprise 0-2 start.
Jake Pascual has also played a major role this conference in leading the NLEX’s all-star crew of RR Garcia, Kevin Alas, Nico Salva, Ronald Pascual and Kirk Long.
Veteran guard Allan Mangahas, who has been piling up numbers in recent games, banners the Elite along with Kevin Ferrer, Gio Ciriacruz and Pari Llagas.
“I think we’re a competitive team,” said Isaac. “This is our first time in the finals and we are facing a very experienced team. So hopefully, we’ll avoid folding up early.”
NLEX advanced to the title round for the fifth straight time after sweeping Big Chill in Game 1 (66-59) and Game 2 (80-71).
Blackwater, though, flirted with elimination before the Elite pulled out an 82-74 victory against Boracay Rum in the do-or-die Game 3 last Tuesday.
The Elite claimed the opener with a 79-69 victory, but the Waves leveled the series at 1-1 with a 69-65 upset.
“It will be a tough but exciting series,” said Fernandez.