D-League semifinal playoffs up

MANILA, Philippines — NLEX hopes to stay as sharp against a pumped-up Cebuana Lhuillier at the start of their best-of-three semifinal series in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Thursday.

Back from a two-week layoff, the No. 1 Road Warriors battle the Gems, who are in top shape after  their quarterfinal stint, in the 2 p.m. match at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

“I’m a little worried. The long break might have gotten us rusty,” coach Boyet Fernandez said of his Road Warriors, who jumped straight to the Final Four after an impressive 9-0 sweep of the eliminations.

No. 2 Jumbo Plastic tackles defending champion Blackwater Sports in Game 1 of the other semifinal pairing at 4 p.m.

Fernandez hopes the Road Warriors still have the fire in them to keep their perfect run going with last conference’s MVP Garvo Lanete, Kevin Alas, Matt Ganuelas, Ola Adeogun and Jake Pascual.

“We believe our defense, individually and as a team, will be an important factor in the series,” said Fernandez.

Although coach Boycie Zamar knows his Gems are the underdogs, he liked how his players gutted it out against Big Chill in their knockout quarterfinal match  two days ago.

“For us, it will be all about heart,” said Zamar. “NLEX is a powerhouse team.”

The Gems clinched the last semis berth after rallying from 10 points down in the last eight minutes to down the Superchargers, 67-60.

“I think it’s just even,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac, downplaying the Elite’s underdog tag.

Isaac will  rely on Reil Cervantes, Jericho Cruz and Kevin Ferrer.