Elite to battle NLEX in final

THE BLACKWATER Sports Elite will challenge the reign of the NLEX Road Warriors by  claiming the last finals berth after defeating the Boracay Rum Waves, 82-74, yesterday in the deciding Game Three of the semifinal round in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup  at the Blue Eagle gym inside the Ateneo campus.

Allan Mangahas helped tow the Elite to the final round by scoring 22 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. He combined with Kevin Ferrer down the stretch for crucial freethrows that sealed the win and ensured their spot in the championship showdown.

After Jeff Vierness tied the score at 70, the Elite put away the pesky Waves with a 12-4 run in the last 3:17. After Allan Mangahas broke the deadlock with a freethrow, Llagas scored on a soft hook in the lane and Ferrer completed a steal off Sabelina to give the Elite a 75-70 lead with 2:16 remaining.

Justine Chua, who sustained a cut in his head late in the third quarter, returned with 7:42 remaining and finished the game with 10 points and 12 rebounds as Blackwater Sports dominated the boards, 47-38.

Viernes and Ken Acibar scored 16 points apiece for Boracay Rum but didn’t get enough support.

The only other Boracay player in double figure was Sabellina with 12./Correspondent Jonas Panerio