Chris-Dennis Madrid came off the bench to score 20 points, the bulk of these coming in the pivotal second quarter run when the Slashers transformed a close contest to a ghastly rout.
"We just kept our composure in the second half and that is crucial," said RCPI Negros coach Jojo Villapando.
Game 2 resumes today at the same venue with the Blades, who reached the finals via a come-from-behind 76-75 victory over the Olongapo Volunteers last week, hoping to tie the series before going back to hometown Lipa for Games 3 and 4.
Tied at 17-all in the opening period, Madrid exploded with 11 points, nine of which came from behind the three-point arc, in a ferocious 18-8 run that gave the Slashers a 35-25 advantage.
Another offensive salvo connecting the second and third quarters hiked the lead to 17, 61-44, which was reduced to seven in the closing seconds of the game.
As in Game One, MBA commissioner Chito Loyzaga has ordered the implementation of strict security measures to ensure the safety of thousands of MBA fans expected to troop to the USLS Coliseum this afternoon.
Loyzaga doesn’t want a repeat of the May 19 incident where police found a bomb at the USLS food court, which is near the playing venue.
For those who can’t be accommodated at the venue, they can watch Game Two live at National Broadcasting Network 4.