Blades, Slashers cut out for MBA title series

The LBC Batangas Blades and the Negros Slashers begin their MBA national finals at 5 p.m. today at the St. La Salle Lipa Sentrum in Lipa City.

The Blades topped the Northern Conference while the Slashers ruled the Southern Conference to forge the best-of-five showdown.

Because they emerged as the elimination round topnotchers, the Blades will enjoy the homecourt edge under the 2-2-1 format.

If their past two games in the eliminations were to be the basis, then the series could go either way. LBC Batangas won over Negros, 82-68, on Nov. 4 in Lipa, while Negros exacted revenge in Bacolod City, 93-71, on Nov. 18.

With their 3-1 victory over the Andok’s San Juan Knights in the North Conference finals, the Blades have the luxury of a week-long rest.

The Slashers were extended to Game Five before besting the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems, 3-2, in the South Conference finals.

Both the Blades and the Slashers are seeking their first national title with the Slashers failing in their first two attempts

LBC Batangas coach Nash Racela will again bank on last year’s MVP Romel Adducul, Alex Compton and Eddie Laure, with support coming from Jeffrey Sanders, Tonyboy

Espinosa, Ralph Rivera and Peter Martin.

The Slashers of coach Robert Sison are deemed to have the deeper roster with John Ferriols at the helm. Other Negros reliables are Cid White, Johnedel Cardel, Reynel Hugnatan, Leo Bat-og, Ruben dela Rosa and Dennis Madrid.

The game will be telecast live over National Broadcasting Network Channel 4.