Blades, Gems eye second win; Cezar faces sanction

LBC Batangas shoots for its second win over reigning national champion Andok’s San Juan today at the resumption of their best-of-five series in the MBA Northern Conference Final at the San Juan Gym.

The Blades posted an 85-76 victory over the Knights in the series opener last Wednesday with the dynamic duo of Alex Compton and Romel Adducul providing the key plays en route to victory. Today’s game is set at 3 p.m.

Another thing going for the Blades is the possible suspension of San Juan coach Philip Cezar after he allegedly ran after an LBC supporter shortly after his team’s loss. The fiery San Juan coach also complained of poor officiating.

Commissioner Butch Antonio and the MBA board were still meeting at presstime on whether Cezar would be suspended or fined. This is not the first time that the former PBA standout has been in trouble with league officials.

Meanwhile, Cebuana Lhuillier will also shoot for a commanding 2-0 lead when it takes on the heavily-favored Negros Slashers in their separate battle for the Southern Conference crown.

The game is set at the University of St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod at 5:30 p.m. with the Gems hoping to ride the momentum of their 88-86 victory over the Slashers last Wednesday.

An endgame spurt triggered by former PBA player Bobby Jose helped the Gems complete the stirring come-from-behind victory. The Slashers took a 14-point lead in the first half but blew it as the Gems unleashed an 18-2 run down the stretch.