PBA D-League: NLEX eyes triple crown, while revamped Blackwater and Pacific Pipes face-off

The NLEX Road Warriors look to continue their dominance of the PBA Developmental League when the Foundation Cup kicks off on Tuesday, with the reigning titlists taking on the Big Chill Superchargers at the San Juan Arena.   The two teams were responsible for a semifinal showdown that went the distance, after the Superchargers upset the Road Warriors 69-62, forcing NLEX to burn their twice-to-beat advantage.   Road Warriors head coach Boyet Fernandez wants nothing but a third consecutive title for the squad, keeping NLEX as the only team to lift a championship trophy in the league.   “It is very important for our company to retain the Foundation Cup,” said Fernandez.   Despite an ACL-injury that will deprive them of the services of San Sebastian College’s Ronald Pascual, NLEX remains a very deep team, as they added former Ateneo Blue Eagle Kirk Long. The American guard was earlier given clearance by PBA Commissioner Chito Salud to play, even though he lacks Filipino lineage.   The squad likes their chances, with or without hotshot guard RR Garcia. Fernandez said that he is still hopeful that his collegiate team, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws will allow him to play this conference, possibly splitting time between the D-League and the FilOil Flying V Pre-season Cup.   “We are still negotiating. Hopefully, RR will be allowed to play for us,” Fernandez said   Fernandez did however admit that the field has become stronger, with teams looking to topple the Road Warriors.   “Teams have fortified their lineups and in my assessment, all teams are capable of going all the way,” Fernandez said.   Their opponent, Big Chill, is one such example, acquiring guards Jeff Viernes and Mark Montilla, swingman Mar Villahermosa, and big man Jam Cortes to beef up its roster.   In the first game of opening day, Blackwater Sports faces the RnW Pacific Pipes Steelmasters at 2 p.m.   Like Big Chill, both teams have also retooled their roster in the hopes of improving on their respective finishes last conference.   “We definitely acquired a lot of good quality players. I just hope that we’ll gel at the right time to make it to the semis and the finals,” said Blackwater Sports coach Leo Isaac. Among others, the squad tapped Paul Zamar of UE in the hopes that he can provide some additional scoring punch.   The Steelmasters on the other hand, will also parade a new coach in Pido Jarencio, whose winning tradition with University of Santo Tomas will definitely be an added boost for the team. Jarencio has brought along with him some of his Growling Tiger standouts, namely Jeric Teng and Aljon Mariano, plus former Adamson Falcon Jan Colina.  – AMD, GMA News