NLEX guns for clincher in D-League title series

MANILA, Philippines - NLEX sets out for a sweep but Big Chill goes all-out to even things up, guaranteeing a slambang action in Game Two of the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today. 

The Road Warriors held off the rallying Superchargers and pounded out a 79-75 victory in the opener of their best-of-three series last Sunday to move closer to another successful title-retention campaign.

Gametime is at 4:15 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, will be held Friday.

“I’m sure Big Chill will make adjustments. But we are ready. Hopefully we could wrap it up in Game Two,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.

A quick end to the series will allow the Road Warriors the luxury of rest before plunging into the next conference, the Foundation Cup, which begins on March 18.

Kevin Alas (17 points), Matthew Ganuelas (13 points) and Ola Adeogun (10 points, 12 rebounds) carried the Road Warriors in Game1 and are expected to take up the cudgels again for the team today.

Fernandez said winning Game 1 was an added motivation but remained cautious about the Superchargers ability to bounce back.

“They did it in the semis (against Blackwater Sports). So we have to keep our defensive mindset and match their intensity,” said Fernandez.

Winning their third straight Aspirants’ Cup will be a sort of redemption for the Road Warriors. The league’s most dominant ball club has made it to all of the previous five conference finals, losing only once – to Blackwater Sports – in last conference’s Foundation Cup.   

“It was a tough one for the whole team and it serves as motivation this conference,” Fernandez said.

Big Chill limited Garvo Lanete to four points on 1 of 8 shooting in Game 1 but will have to do a lot better in Game 2. Janus Lozada, Jeckster Apinan, Dexter Maiquez and Mar Villahermosa also have to deliver if the Superchargers intend to extend the series to a deciding Game 3.

“Big Chill did a good defensive job on Garvo. But they can’t contain him for long. Garvo is a smart player and I’m sure he’ll find a way to score in Game 2,” Fernandez said.