Photo by Nuki Sabio
MANILA—Top picks NLEX and Cebuana Lhuillier try to arrange a championship duel when they battle separate foes today in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Road Warriors, rated highly in the playoffs, brace for a tough battle against the Max! Bond Super Glue Sumos at 4 p.m. with the winner advancing to the best-of-three finals.
The Gems will dispute the other finals berth against PC Gilmore at 2 p.m.
Cebuana Lhuillier coach Luigi Trillo has challenged his team to put up a strong defensive stand against PC Gilmore, which has crafty guards Allan Mangahas and Carlo Lastimosa.
PC Gilmore coach Richard del Rosario believes his team will be playing without pressure and hopes to use it to produce a solid outing.
“There’s really no pressure on us,” said Rosario. “However, since it’s a knockout game there’s always a chance for an upset and we’re going all out to make it to the finals.”
NLEX coasted to the semifinals with a trouble-free 100-71 demolition of FCA Tuesday.
In contrast, the Sumos needed a late basket from Reil Cervantes to hold off Blackwater, 74-71, in the quarterfinals.
While the Road Warriors have tall, athletic players who can attack the basket with impunity, the Sumos have experience on their side with a lineup bannered by former collegiate standouts Junjun Cabatu, Rudy Linggganay and Reil Cervantes.
“We can match up well with their big men. But I don’t think we have answer for their experience,” NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez said. “Hopefully we could match their intensity and take advantage of our quickness.”
Pido Jarencio, the Max! Bond Super Glue coach, said his team is capable of an upset.
“We have to keep the game close and grab the chance if it is presented to us,” he said.