Game tomorrow (Ynares Sports Arena)

3p.m. – NLEX vs Freego Jeans

In the game that really mattered, the NLEX Road Warriors were simply overpowering.

With the return of star player Calvin Abueva providing additional spark, the Road Warriors manhandled Big Chill, 89-60, in a one-sided game yesterday to gain the finals against Freego Jeans in the  PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. 

Game One of the best-of- three title series is scheduled at 3 p.m. tomorrow.

After a blowout loss in Game 1 and then allowing a 24-point lead to slip in Game 2 that cast doubt on their championship run, the Road Warriors played with a lot of emotions in the deciding game and left no doubt on who was the better team.

“We learned our lessons in Game 1 and 2. Today we just let go all our emotions. When we took a double-digit lead in the first quarter, I kept telling my players to keep charging. There’s no such thing as a safe lead in this league,” offered NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. 

Abueva, who struck Jessie Collado in the face in Game 1 that warranted his suspension, scored 11 of his game-high 16 points in the first half as the Road Warriors got off to strong start. He capped his energetic performance with 3-pointer that gave NLEX a 22-10 lead at the end of the period.

“I talked to Alvin after Game 2 and told him his teammates made a lot of effort to save our series and that we are expecting a lot from his in Game 3. He promised to make a difference and he did,” Fernandez said.

RR Garcia tallied 16 points (10 in the first half) to share scoring honors with Abueva, while Chris Ellis added 12 and Clifford Hodge grabbed 11 rebounds.

Just like any other do-or-die game, this one featured a lot of contacts, pushing and hard fouls with three players – Big Chill’s Jewel Ponferrada and June Dizon and NLEX’s Dave Marcelo – whistled for flagrant foul category one. 

But that was the only interesting part of it, because this game was not even close.

NLEX dominated just about every department: rebounds (49-44), assists (17-9) and shooting (46 percent-35 percent).

NLEX’s big men – Ian Sanggalang, Hodge, Ellis and Marcelo – battled for every inch of the shaded lane and didn’t allow Big Chill’s Ponferrada, Collado and Jensen to get any closer.

“We’re simply overmatched. We played bad and they played one hell of a game,” said Big Chill coach Arsenio Dysangco.

“But I’m still proud of my players. What we had achieved this conference is priceless,” he added.

Big Chill made just 24 of 68 attempts. And worse, the Super Chargers turned the ball over 21 times that netted NLEX 26 points.

Raffy Reyes scored 16 points and Jopher Custodio had 11 for Big Chill.

The Super Chargers played the first half of Game 3 pretty much the same way they started Game 2 – shooting poorly.

They shot just 3 of 15 in the first quarter and 4 of 16 in the second and trailed 43-18 at halftime.