D-League Final 4: NLEX, Blackwater favored | Inquirer Sports

D-League Final 4: NLEX, Blackwater favored

/ 10:35 PM May 27, 2013

NLEX looks to sustain its hot streak despite a two-week layoff when it tangles with Big Chill at the start of their best-of-three semifinal series in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup today at Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

Anticipating a tight duel, coach Boyet Fernandez hopes to make the most out of Greg Slaughter’s return for the Road Warriors in the 2 p.m. duel.

“This will be a close series,” said Fernandez. “Whoever makes the stops in the end will make it to the Finals.”

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Blackwater Sports, an outright semifinalist just like NLEX, battles Boracay Rum in the other Final Four pairing at 4 p.m.

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Slaughter only suited up in the Road Warriors’ last two games due to commitments with his school and the national team.

But the seven-foot standout blended well with the defending champions, who racked up nine straight wins for a league-best 9-2 record.

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“Any way I look at it, we don’t have any advantage over NLEX,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison, noting that the imposing Slaughter remains a concern.

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“That team is complete in all positions and anyone in their lineup can dominate the game.”

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The Superchargers, though, hope to ride on the momentum of their quarterfinal run where they overcame Fruitas’ twice-to-beat edge to claim the last semifinals slot.

Sison said his crew, led by Terrence Romeo and Jeckster Apinan, need to come out even more tenacious against NLEX’s virtual all-star squad of Slaughter, Nico Salva, RR Garcia, Kevin Alas, Ronald Pascual and Borgie Hermida.

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“We have to work doubly hard and we must have a really good game plan especially on defense to limit their offensive attacks,” said Sison.

The second-seeded Elite also try to live up to their favorite tag behind Kevin Ferrer, Allan Mangahas and Pari Llagas. Jasmine W. Payo

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TAGS: Basketball, PBA D-League Foundation Cup

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