The NLEX Road Warriors and the Blackwater Bossing will square off in the Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament Finals.
NLEX completed the Finals cast for the Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament after taking down Phoenix, 100-96, on Saturday, Aug. 23.
After the opening debacle, the Road Warriors scored back-to-back victories to set up a finale against spotless Blackwater in the four-team tournament serving as tuneup games ahead of PBA Season 50.
The match is slated Sunday, Aug. 24 at the USEP Gymnasium in Davao City.
Jonnel Policarpio made things happen for the Road Warriors inside the final two minutes and 14 seconds, where he scored three points and dished out a crucial assist.
His drop to Javee Mocon led to an easy deuce that gave NLEX a four-point buffer, 98-94, with 26.6 ticks left to play.
He was also 3-of-4 from the foul line during that stretch, the last put the Road Warriors in front, 99-96, with 12.1 seconds remaining.
The Fuel Masters then turned to Ricci Rivero to try and force overtime, but his wide open shot from deep fell short.
With only a second to go, Xyrus Torres shut the door on the winless Phoenix team with a free throw for the final score.
At 0-3, the Fuel Masters still have a chance to salvage a podium finish as they square off against Converge in the battle for third also on Sunday.