4 teams clash for PBA D-League finals berth

The finalist in the first-ever conference of the PBA D-League will be known Thursday as the top four teams battle it out in a knockout semifinals match in the Foundation Cup.

Group B top seed Cebuana Lhuillier takes on No. 2 ranked team in Group A PC Gilmore at 2 p.m., while NLEX, which grabbed the top spot in Group A, goes up against Max! Bond Super Glue, the second-best team in Group B, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The winners will advance to the best-of-three championship series. Road Warriors coach Boyet Fernandez expects a physical battle against the Sumos in their semifinal encounter. Fernandez also noted the experience of the Sumos with former ABL players Rudy Lingganay, Jun Jun Cabatu and Roel Hugnatan along with ex-FEU Tamaraw Reil Cervantes, who drained a key jumper in their 74-71 victory over Blackwater on Tuesday. "They are a complete team and have a very good coach. I think it will be an intense match. We just have to match their experience," said Fernandez. Max! Bond coach Pido Jarencio, however, said that NLEX has the advantage with their deep roster that includes Calvin Abueva, Eric Salamat, Ogie Menor, Pamboy Raymundo and Ian Sangalang. "We'll just stay close to them. It will be a different story, if ever we see an opportunity," Jarencio said in Filipino. Cebuana Lhuillier coach Luigi Trillo, for his part, said that the Gems' 71-64 win over Freego Jeans was a big boost to the squad as they go up against PC Gilmore, which like their quarterfinals opponent is made up mostly of several collegiate standouts. "They have a lot of good collegiate players who are tough, can play the uptempo game and can spread the floor. The challenge is to defend against them," said Trillo. PC Gilmore coach Richard Del Rosario said that his Wizards will go to the game without any pressure since the Gems are among the favored teams to win the title prior to the conference. "There's really no pressure on us. However, since it's a knockout game there's always a chance for an upset and were going all out to make it to the finals," he said. – Reuben Terrado, JVP, GMA News