Games today (Blue Eagle Gym)
2 p.m. – Big Chill vs NLEX
4 p.m. – Boracay Rum vs Blackwater Sports
MANILA, Philippines - NLEX and Blackwater Sports take on separate rivals today, looking for victories and a headstart in their respective best-of-three semifinal series in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Blue Eagle gym inside the Ateneo campus.
The Road Warriors, riding the crest of a nine-game win run, have been installed as the favorites against the Big Chill Superchargers, who toppled the Fruitas Shakers in their quarterfinal duel to advance to the Final Four.
Gametime is at 2 p.m.
After a 0-2 start, the defending champions racked up nine straight victories and clinched the top seeding for an outright semis berth. But they haven’t played in nearly two weeks, thus drawing concern from NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.
“That’s my only worry, other than that we’re ready to play,†he said.
Blackwater Sports, which took the other outright semis slot, and a surging Boracay Rum clash in the 4 p.m. main game with the Elite also hoping to shake off a long rust against a team which held off EA Regen in their quarters clash.
Coach Lawrence Chongson, however, thinks the Waves have an even chance against the Elite.
“The hungrier team will prevail,†said Chongson, who believes his troops have the momentum going into the series following their three-game winning streak.
This marks the second straight semifinal for the Blackwater Sports. The Elite also made the Final Four of the Aspirants’ Cup prior to this tournament but were swept by the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns in the best-of-three series.