Games Today (JCSGO gym, Cubao)
12 noon – Boracay Rum vs Wang’s
2 p.m. – Jumbo Plastic vs Cebuana Lhuillier
4 p.m. – Blackwater vs NLEX
NLEX and Blackwater Sports meet for the first time since their thrilling Foundation Cup finals series last June as they look to boost their playoff bids today in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the JCSGO gym in Cubao.
The Road Warriors and the Elite lock horns at 4 p.m. with the former gunning for their fifth straight victory and the latter eyeing a share of fifth place in the 14-team tournament.
Jumbo Plastic tries to end its elimination round campaign on a winning note against Cebuana Lhuillier at 2 p.m. after Boracay Rum and Wang’s Basketball clash at 12 noon.
The NLEX-Blackwater showdown will revive memories of the Foundation Cup title series that saw the Elite winning via a sweep to end the Road Warriors’ run of four straight championships.
Both teams, however, have produced new rosters compared to their finals encounter but have maintained their fiery form in the tournament.
Led by Myanmar Southeast Asian Games gold medal winners Garvo Lanete, Kevin Alas and Matt Ganuelas and San Beda mainstays Ola Adeogun, Art dela Cruz and Baser Amer, NLEX totes a 7-1 record to trail idle Big Chill (10-1) for the lead in the standings.
Blackwater, on the other hand, is in sixth place at 6-3 behind SEA Games veterans Kevin Ferrer and Jericho Cruz and former NCAA stars Allan Mangahas and Gio Ciriacruz.