Lanete stars anew as NLEX books return trip to PBA D-League finals

Garvo Lanete. PBA D-LEAGUE IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines—Some things never change as NLEX booked a return trip to the final round of the 2014 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup after a sweep of Hog’s Breath Cafe on Thursday.

The Road Warriors dominated the Razorbacks to control early en route to an 85-72 win in game 2, keeping with a tradition of making it to the finals since the inaugural season in 2011.

The Road Warriors never encountered any trouble against their overmatched rivals, even leading by as much as 32 points, 76-44.

“We can’t give chance to get back. As I’ve said before, they’re a very strong team,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez, seeking his fifth championship.

“We started strong and we stuck to our game plan and I’m glad this is over. Now we can rest and prepare for the finals.”

The championship series starts on Feb. 21 at the Araneta Coliseum, but the Road Warriors will have to stand by for their opponents as the Big Chill-Blackwater series went to a decider.

Garvo Lanete once again starred for NLEX with 16 points as he showed no ill-effects of the shoulder injury that sidelined him in the last two games of the elimination round.

Matthew Ganuelas contributed 14 on 5-of-8 shooting while Jake Pascual had 11 points and 10 rebounds as NLEX controlled the boards, 49-45.

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