NLEX faces JRU; B’water vs Cagayan in semifinals

Games today (Ynares Sports Arena)

2 p.m. – Blackwater Sports vs Cagayan Valley

4 p.m. – NLEX vs JRU

MANILA, Philippines - NLEX and Blackwater seek to gain the headstart in their respective best-of-three duels with Jose Rizal University and Cagayan Valley as the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup semifinal round fires off today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The defending champion Road Warriors hope to come out strong from a long layoff as they face the gritty JRU side that stunned Big Chill in last week’s quarterfinals, where it overcame the Superchargers’ twice-to-beat edge to crash into the Final Four.

Ranged against a talent-laden NLEX squad that swept the first three conferences of the fledgling league, JRU coach Vergel Meneses said they would need more than a miracle to upend the fancied Warriors but vowed to give it their best shot in their 4 p.m. encounter.

“Their line-up is so deep anyone can be a starter. I don’t think we can match-up with them,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses. “But we’ll give it a shot. I’m confident my players will compete. Hopefully, our success in the quarterfinals could make a difference in this series.”

Despite their edge in manpower and experience, NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez remains wary of their rivals, describing the Bombers as “tough.”

“If my memory serves me right, JRU was ahead by seven in the final 45 seconds in our last meeting but we rallied and was just fortunate to be able to win the game,” said Fernandez. “In all honesty, facing JRU in the semis is a tough one. They’re a very strong team. They’ve won five of their last six games and that’s a testament of their ability.”

The Road Warriors topped the elims with a 9-1 record but had not played competitively in nearly two months or since their 89-76 rout of Cebuana Lhuillier last Dec. 20.

Fernandez admitted the long break is a concern. 

“We have not practiced with complete line-up during that span because most of the players have commitments with Gilas Pilipinas. But as always, we’ll be ready come game time. I just hope our defense would carry us through,” said Fernandez. 

The 2 p.m. clash between Blackwater and Cagayan Valley, meanwhile, promises to be a thriller.

Although the Elite dominated the Risings Suns, 93-70, in their lone meeting in the elims, the latter are riding the crest of their impressive victory over the Gems in the quarters.

“We can match up with them. We know their strength and we have beaten them in the elims,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac. 
“We hope we can make it to the finals this time,” said Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy.

Rising Suns’ coach Alvin Pua also feels they have a good shot at making the finals. “Anything can happen. We just have to play tough defense.”