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Will it be victory day for NLEX or will Cebuana Lhuillier live for another day?
The answer will be known on Thursday’s Game 2 of the PBA D-League best-of-three Finals at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Road Warriors beat the Gems, 76-62, in Game 1, thanks to their defensive intensity that moved the team a win away from a sweep. But NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez is not expecting a walk-in-the-park in their 3 p.m. encounter with a Cebuana Lhuillier squad fighting for survival.
“We are ready for a physical battle," said Fernandez. “Cebuana Lhuillier is a strong team. We will go for the win, but it will be tough."
Fernandez expects a big Gems comeback looking to force a deciding Game 3 next Tuesday afternoon at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“They have the right tools to launch a comeback and tie the series. So we have to be prepared and be more focused," Fernandez said.
Allein Maliksi had 21 points for the Gems, but only had five points in the first half. The former University of Santo Tomas standout was the lone double-digit scorer for the.
“I honestly thought that (Pamboy) Raymundo, (Ogie) Menor, (Eric) Salamat and (Ronald) Pascual ate our guard up for merienda," admitted Cebuana Lhuillier coach Luigi Trillo.
Trillo, who also led the then-Cebuana Lhuillier Pera Padala to the 2007 PBL Unity Cup Finals and lost to Harbour Centre, also criticized the officiating as NLEX was awarded 17 free throws in the first half.
“The D-League refs have been allowing the whole season a lot of physicality. Why change it in the Finals? What makes NLEX special going to the basket?," said Trillo.
But there’s one physical play that got away involving a Cebuana Lhuillier player.
Ariel Mepana escaped suspension after he was caught by league officials punching Calvin Abueva in the stomach during a loose ball scramble. Mepana was actually seen hitting Abueva in the belly and in the neck before the punch, sending the San Sebastian stalwart sprawling to the floor.
Mepana was fined P7,400 and ruled the punch as a flagrant foul 2 after a video review by PBA commissioner Chito Salud.
Source: RCJ/KBK, GMA News
