D-League Final 4: NLEX, Blackwater favored

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.”

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

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.

“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.

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

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.

“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