NLEX targets D-League semifinal slot

On the CUSP of an automatic semifinal berth, NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez expects no letup from his Road Warriors when they take on Erase Plantcenta today in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup.

Unbeaten in five outings, the Road Warriors can put one foot in the semifinals with a victory in the 4 p.m. clash with the Erasers at the Ynares Sports Arena.

“It will be another tough battle,” said Fernandez. “So we have to stay in focus and hopefully, our defense would step up again.”

The Erasers snapped a two-game slump with an 81-69 rout of the Jr. Powerade Tigers last week, but coach Yong Garcia admitted that his team is still learning to play together.

“Erase is a very good team and they are improving with every game,” said Fernandez, who is wary of Erasers’ high-power offense led by guards Jett Vidal and Allan Mangahas .

RnW Pacific Pipes seeks to enhance its own postseason hopes when it tangles an out-of-it Cagayan Rising Suns in the first game at 2 p.m.

The Steelmasters, toting a 3-2 record, are gunning for a fourth straight victory that will give them a share of second to sixth spots with Cebuana Lhuillier, Blackwater Elite and Big Chill. Cedelf P. Tupas