Bermuda’s Sullivan Phillips and his BC Prievidza team will square off against third seed Nitra after seeing off Levice in five games to advance to the second round of the Slovakian Men’s National Basketball League playoffs.

Levice pushed the number two seeds to the limit, but eventually fell 71-66 in the final to set up the showdown between two of the top clubs in the league.

Phillips had eight points and three rebounds the best of five series finale to help his side reach the semi-finals.

For Phillips, the series had more of a finals feel to it given the physical nature of the five games.

“The Levice series, truthfully, was like a finals series,” said Phillips. “We had to beat a very deep and experienced, and the former champ of last year. For a young team, it’s a great way to learn, gain experience and be tested moving forward.

“Prievidza doesn’t have a good record against Nitra this year, winning just one game in four meeting between the pair.”

While the regular season wasn’t impressive against their rivals, Phillips believes all those stats go out the window come playoff time.

“The Nitra series is going to be a different style totally but one we should deal with I believe,” he said.

“They play with seven guys like us, but unlike Levice who had 12 players, so our style of run and gun can really work against them.

“They have good players and will be tough but I expect to win the series.

“As for the finals I am optimistic about getting there, but in this time of the year you just look one game at a time, and we start with game one and go from there, but I expect to make it to the finals.”

Game one was scheduled for last night at Prievidza.