NLEX tries to continue winning ways as PBA D-League semis starts

THE ACTION intensifies in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup as the semifinal round commences with the nearly untouchable NLEX Road Warriors taking on the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers while the Blackwater Elite Sports battles the surprising Cagayan Valley Rising Suns today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

JRU head coach Vergel Meneses thoroughly downplayed his team’s chances against the two-time defending champions Road Warriors, a veritable collection of amateur all-stars that snatched an outright ticket to the semis with a lot of time to spare in the elimination round.

JRU, on the other hand, had to overhaul a twice-to-beat disadvantage against Big Chill in the quarterfinal round to get to this point.

“We don’t stand a chance. Their lineup is so deep, anyone can be a starter. I don’t think we can match-up with them,” Meneses said. “But we’ll give it a shot. I’m confident my players will compete. Hopefully, our success in the quarterfinals could make a difference in this series.”

The other semis pairing will see the Elite face off against the Suns, which has turned heads all conference long with their Cinderella-like run to this Final Four, especially after their last stint in the D-League, wherein they finished without a single win in nine games.

However, it will be an uphill battle against the Elite after the latter knocked them off, 93-70, in their lone encounter in the prelims. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio