Close out waves in d-league semis Elite seal title duel vs Warriors

Game tomorrow (Ynares Arena)

3 p.m. – Blackwater Sports vs NLEX

MANILA, Philippines - Blackwater Sports made big plays down the stretch as the Elite turned back the Boracay Rum Waves, 82-74, in their rubber match at the Blue Eagle gym in Ateneo yesterday to arrange a showdown with the NLEX Road Warriors for the PBA D-League Foundation Cup crown.

Pari Llagas and Kevin Ferrer stepped up in the closing minutes, starring in a decisive 12-4 Blackwater windup to shatter a tight 70-all count and overcome Boracay in the deciding Game Three of their semifinal series for their first championship appearance in five conferences.

Game One of the finals, also a best-of-three affair, starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.

After Boracay’s Jeff Viernes tied the score at 70, Allan Mangahas hit a free throw, Llagas scored on a soft hook in the lane and Ferrer completed a steal to give the Elite a 75-70 lead with 2:16 remaining in the contest.

“I thought that steal of Kevin was the turning point of the game. Once he completed the play, I thought we already had control of the game,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.

Mangahas, held to five points on 1 of 11 shooting in Game 2, sizzled with 22 points while Robby Celiz had 14 markers and Llagas and Ferrer chipped in 11 apiece for the Elite, who trailed by three in the middle quarters.

Justine Chua, who sustained a cut in his head late in the third period, returned with 7:42 remaining and finished the game with 10 points and 12 rebounds for Blackwater Sports, which dominated the boards, 47-38.

The Elite went on a strong start and led by as many as 10 points but the Waves, as they did in Game Two, clawed back behind their tenacious defense and hustle.

Boracay Rum dominated the second and third quarters and held on to a 65-63 lead with 6:14 left in the fourth when the Waves cracked under pressure and missed crucial shots. The Waves committed five of their total 18 turnovers in the fourth and made just four of 13 attempts in the period.

The scores:

Blackwater Sports 82 – A. Mangahas 22, Celiz 14, Ferrer 11, Llagas 11, Chua 10, Bagatsing 8, Ciriacruz 4, Pe 2, Vigil 0,  J. Mangahas 0, Suguitan 0.

Boracay Rum 74 – Acibar 16, Viernes 16, Sabellina 12, Fernandez 8, Taha 8, Siruma 5, Rosopa 5, Arellano 2, Eguillos 1, Ilagan 1, Pasculado 0, Tagarada 0.

Quarterscores: 18-14; 34-37; 55-58; 82-74