PBA D-League: NLEX melts Big Chill, faces Freego in the finals

NLEX rammed its way to the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup finals as the Road Warriors outclassed the Big Chill Superchargers, 89-60, in Game 3, Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena. RR Garcia scored 16 points while Calvin Abueva had an auspicious return following a one-game suspension, contributing 16 points and eight rebounds as the Road Warriors won the final two matches of the series following a lopsided 83-66 defeat in Game 1. The Road Warriors maintained their wide margin throughout the game, a stark contrast to Game 2 where they led by 24 points, only to see it go down the drain before finally taking the win. “In Game 2, we were up by 21 but they led by one. We learned our lesson that no lead is safe,” NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. NLEX braces for the best-of-three finals as it takes on Freego Jeans beginning on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena. “Freego is a very good team. They have been together for a long time. Even though we won that game in the eliminations, the finals is a different story,” said Fernandez. Led by Abueva’s nine points in the first period, NLEX raced to a 22-10 lead entering the second quarter. The Road Warriors’ advantage swelled further while limiting the Superchargers to just eight points in the period, to take a commanding 43-18 lead at the half. The Road Warriors’ lead went as high as 40 points in the fourth quarter, 79-39, on a Chris Ellis two-handed slam dunk. Raffy Reyes led the Superchargers with 16 points, while Jopher Custodio added 11 markers. - AMD, GMA News The scores: NLEX (89)—Abueva 16, Garcia 16, Ellis 12, Sangalang 8, Marcelo 8, Hodge 8, Lanete 6, Monfort 6, Hermida 5, Dehesa 2, Co 2, Arao 0, Belencion 0. Big Chill (60)—Reyes 16, Custodio 11, Maconocido 9, Collado 7, Jensen 4, Ponferrada 4, Dizon 4, Tan 3, Mallari 2, Galinato 0, Santos 0, Glorioso 0. Quarter scores: 22-10, 43-18, 71-37, 89-60.