Warriors, Elite begin best-of-three title duel

Game today (Ynares Arena) 3 p.m. – Blackwater Sports vs NLEX

NLEX sets out for the first of two wins it needs to nail another PBA D-League championship as it faces first- timer Blackwater Sports at the start of the Foundation Cup finals at the Ynares Arena today.

Although they have swept the first four crowns of the fledgling league, NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez still expects a challenging series from an Elite team making their first-ever finals appearance in five conferences.

“It will be a tough but exciting series,” said Fernandez on the eve of the best-ofthree finals.

While the Road Warriors breezed through the finals with a sweep of the Big Chill Superchargers, the Elite needed to go through a sudden death to dispose of the Boracay Rum Waves, 82-74, in their own side of the best-of-three series last Tuesday.

Still, Fernandez expects a strong challenge from the Elite.

“Blackwater is a strong and wellcoached team. So defense will be an important factor. Whoever makes stops in the end will win Game One and probably the championship,” said Fernandez. Game One is set at 3 p.m. With seven- footer Greg Slaughter rejoining the Road Warriors for the playoffs, observers believe the Warriors have the edge over the Elite as NLEX shoots for a fifth straight championship.

Blackwater coach Leo Isaac said his team can match-up well with the Road Warriors. He also kept them motivated by telling them if they want to make a mark in the league they have to challenge and beat the Road Warriors.

“I think we are a competitive team,” said Isaac.

He, however, stressed the need for his wards to play with utmost confidence against a very experienced team.

“I have to make them realize that (the Road Warriors) are also human. This is our first time in the finals and we are facing a very experienced team that’s why I want them to go out there fighting right from the start.”