Head coach Boyet Fernandez.Photo by August Dela Cruz.
Nlex coach Boyet Fernandez points to a third-quarter breakdown that led to the Road Warriors’ first finals loss in four PBA D-League conferences.
“We didn’t match Blackwater’s energy,” said Fernandez. “Blackwater also made stops in the end. But I thought the turning point was the third quarter when we gave up 27 points and 15 rebounds.”
Pulling off the improbable, Blackwater Sports toppled the Road Warriors in a 70-67 shocker last Thursday where Kevin Ferrer, Allan Mangahas, Justin Chua and Pari Llagas took charge in the second half.
But the Road Warriors, the only champion the league has known, are bent on extending their reign even if they have to take a longer route this time.
“It’s not over yet,” said Fernandez. “They still have to beat us one more game. We just have to play with the right attitude if we intend to extend the series to a deciding Game 3.”
Blackwater coach Leo Isaac said Game 2 will all be about mental preparedness.
“It’s just a matter of believing that we can win this championship,” said Isaac.
Game 2 of the best-of-three series is set on at 3 p.m. on Tuesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“I kept reminding my players that discipline will win games for us,” said Isaac. “I thought they showed a great deal of discipline on both ends [in Game 1].”
The Road Warriors swept Cebuana Lhuillier in their maiden finals in 2011 and pulled off the same feat in their title series versus Freego Jeans, Big Chill and Cagayan Valley.