PBA D-League: NLEX faces Cebuana in finals rematch

Shorthanded NLEX faces Cebuana Lhuillier in a rematch of last year's finals series in Thursday's PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The Road Warriors seek to remain undefeated in their 2 p.m. match-up against the Gems as they go for their fifth win this conference. NLEX swept Cebuana Lhuillier in the 2011 Foundation Cup to become the league's inaugural champions. But the Road Warriors will play minus collegiate stars Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang, who are in the United States to train with the San Sebastian Stags. Despite their absence, the Road Warriors are expected to remain a tough challenge to the Gems after their 66-60 win over Café France last April 10 in Antipolo City. Abueva and Sangalang played limited roles against the Bakers, and allowed Cliff Hodge and Chris Ellis to take over for the team as the Road Warriors' rising starts combined for 26 points to lead NLEX to a 4-0 record. The Gems, meanwhile, are coming off a lopsided 82-55 win over the Cagayan Rising Suns to improve their record to 3-1. Cebuana Lhuillier is not just aiming to become the first team this conference to defeat NLEX but also seeking to tie Blackwater Sports for second place in the team standings. The Gems, however, has yet to appoint a head coach after Luigi Trillo was named the Alaska Aces' interim mentor in the PBA. In the 12 noon first game, RnW Pacific Pipes tries to extend its winning streak to three as it battles Café France. The Steelmasters are playing inspired basketball as of late and are coming off a 74-73 victory over Erase Plantcenta behind Raymond Ilagan’s marginal basket to grab the win. The Bakers, after opening the conference with a victory, are looking to get back to their winning ways after slumping to their third straight loss against NLEX. — JVP, GMA News