Blades gun for 2nd win vs Slashers

A change in venue could well change the complexion of the title series as LBC Batangas tries to make it two-in-a-row over Negros on a neutral ground at the San Andres gym in Manila in Game Two of the MBA finals today.

"The crowd served as our sixth man in Game One," said Batangas coach Nash Racela, whose wards drew strength and inspiration from the crowd at the St. La Salle Lipa Sentrum in Batangas to fashion out an 87-84 win in the opener of the best-of-five series Wednesday.

One thing going for the Blades at San Andres is that it will be some sort of a homecoming for two of Batangas’ prized recruits — Romel Adducul and Alex Compton, who used to call the Mail & More Sports Complex their home when they were still with the now-defunct Manila Metrostars squad.

But Racela and the Blades will not only have to worry about the venue and the crowd. They must also be wary of the Slashers expected comeback and must check their composure.

The Blades blew a 23-point lead in the first half and had to scramble down the stretch, thanks to Eddie Laure and Tonyboy Espinosa, to complete the victory in the series opener.

"They (Blades) have the tendency to relax and we can’t afford to do that against the Slashers in the succeeding games," said Racela.

Laure and Espinosa bailed the Blades out of trouble in Game One with crucial baskets as the veterans of the team struggled at crunchtime. Laure fired 23 points and snared 15 rebounds, while Espinosa scored the bulk of his 19-point production in the closing minutes.

For Negros to steal Game Two and the homecourt edge, coach Robert Sison’s wards should crash the boards more fiercely and not allow the Blades to dictate the tempo of the game.

John Ferriols, Reynel Hugnatan, Cid White and Ruben dela Rosa contributed for Negros, but Johnedel Cardel should produce more. The failure of Jomar Tierra and Leo Bat-og to score also told heavily against the Slashers in the opener. — Joey Villar