NLEX, Blackwater try to arrange PBA D-League title showdown

MANILA, Philippines — After dominating the series opener, NLEX and Blackwater Sports hope to arrange a repeat of last conference’s title showdown with a sweep of their semifinal foes in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Thursday.

The Elite try to complete their domination of No. 2 Big Chill at 2 p.m. while the top-ranked Road Warriors hope to bundle out Hog’s Breath Cafe at 4 in Game 2 of the best-of-three semifinal duels at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

“We don’t want any delay in what we want to achieve,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac. “I told the players we did it last time, [we can] do it again on Thursday.”

Despite their early struggle after winning last conference’s crown, the Elite pulled off an amazing run to become the lowest seeded squad at sixth to reach the Final Four.

Last Tuesday, the Elite stretched their incredible winning streak by stunning the Superchargers, 84-72, behind Jericho Cruz and Allan Mangahas to take a 1-0 series lead

“If there are any adjustments on their part, we just have to be ready,” said Isaac.

Before the Game 1 semifinal stunner, Isaac’s crew also overcame the twice-to-beat advantage of No. 3 Jumbo Plastic in the quarterfinals.

The Road Warriors, on the other hand, also try to duplicate their 99-74 Game 1 rout of the Razorbacks where Garvo Lanete erupted for 23 points.