Elite, Steel Masters seek key D-L wins

BLACKWATER Sports tries to stay in the top four when the Elite go for a quarterfinal slot against the Cagayan Rising Suns in the PBA
D-League Foundation Cup today.

Clobbered by defending champion NLEX last week, the Elite hope to recover from their worst outing against the winless Suns at 2 p.m. at San Juan Gym.

RnW Pacific Pipes, tied with the Elite at 4-3, also eyes a quarterfinal berth against also-ran Junior Powerade in the second game at 4 p.m.

The Elite and the Steel Masters were in contention for an outright semifinal incentive, but both squads took crushing losses last week.

NLEX has secured the first Final Four slot with a perfect 8-0 card, while Cebuana Lhuillier (6-2) and Big Chill (5-2) are the remaining contenders for the last incentive given to the top two teams at the end of the eliminations.

Blackwater coach Leo Isaac acknowledges his team’s “lack of maturity,” but hopes the Elite have learned their lesson after an atrocious loss to the Road Warriors, 60-45, last week.

Playing minus suspended star Kelly Nabong, the Elite shot a miserable 16 percent from the field in the first half before finishing with their lowest output this conference.

But with Nabong back and with the support of Jeric Fortuna, Chris Camus and brothers Gio and Ice Ciriacruz, the Elite aim to regain their form.