PBA D-League: NLEX and Big Chill in win-or-go-home situation

Defending champion NLEX Road Warriors and the Big Chill Super Chargers slug it out for the last Finals berth in what is expected to be a fierce battle when they meet again in Game 3 on Tuesday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. with the winner set to meet Freego Jeans in the best-of-three finals. The Road Warriors forced a rubber match for the finals seat last week defeating the Superchargers, 69-62, in Game 2. While the coaches are expected to be well-prepared for this intense match-up, NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez said that will still be the players who will get the job done as they seek a return trip to the Finals. “I am confident my guys will get the job done. If we could play with the same kind of energy and resolve as we did (in Game 2) we’ll win this series,” Fernandez said. NLEX will be back in full force with the return of Calvin Abueva, who was suspended for Game 2 with a flagrant foul in the series opener against Big Chill’s Jesse Collado. In that game, the Road Warriors struggled in practically all aspects of their game, losing big to the Superchargers, 83-66. Looking to book a huge upset, Big Chill mounted a big comeback, overcoming a 24-point deficit in Game 2, but the Superchargers fell short, extending the series. Ian Sangalang and RR Garcia provided the spark for NLEX late in the game as their timely baskets propelled the Road Warriors to a Game 2 victory.   Still, head coach Arsenio Dysangco expressed confidence in his wards for the deciding game. “It’s for a Finals slot so the game will be physical,” said Dysangco. “I feel that the team who wants it more and is willing to give an extra effort will have the advantage.” Prior to the season, Dysangco had the modest goal of making it to the quarterfinals, but the Superchargers have exceeded expectations and now that they are in the semifinals, they want to extend their stint in the conference with a spot in the finals at the expense of the Foundation Cup titlist. “We want to find out how far we can go. We want to test our limits,” Dysangco said. - AMD, GMA News