NLEX goes for sweep; Big Chill seeks semis

NLEX GOES for a historic sweep even as Big Chill vies for an outright semifinal berth against separate opponents in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup today.

The Road Warriors, the first semifinalist, bid to become the first team in the league to sweep all elimination assignments in the 4 p.m. match versus Boracay Rum.

Big Chill earlier aims for the second outright semifinal stint against RnW Pacific Pipes at 2 p.m. on the the final day of eliminations at the Treston Gym in Taguig.

“It’s history, definitely we’ll go for it,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez as the Road Warriors try to extend their win run to nine games.

Only the top two teams at the end of the eliminations earn automatic entry to the semifinals, while the next four slug it out in the quarterfinals.

A victory will give Big Chill a share of second with Cebuana Lhuillier at 7-2, but the Super Chargers will claim the incentive due to the winner-over-the-other tiebreak rule. The Super Chargers downed the Gems, 68-52, in their lone elimination meeting.

“The players know the job is not yet done,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison, who’s relying on Mac Montilla, Jeff Viernes, Jessie Collado, Alex Mallari and Keith Jensen. “We still have to win this last game, but I’m optimistic the players will get it done.”  With a report from Randolph B. Leongson