NLEX erased an early 16-point deficit to beat Blackwater, 84-81, on Friday in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Robert Bolick and Cady Lalanne teamed up to get the Road Warriors out of a 33-17 hole then held off a last-ditch fight from the Bossing.
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Bolick also knocked down a key three with 37.8 seconds left to give NLEX an 84-79 cushion that they were able to protect the rest of the way.
Bolick finished with 24 points, seven assists, and four steals for the Road Warriors, while Lalanne had 22 points and 16 rebounds in his league debut.
Schonny Winston played his first game with NLEX since being acquired in a trade with Converge and had 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
NLEX coach Jong Uichico said the team had to go through a period of adjustment early in the game.
“Everybody will go through this phase na in the first game, medyo kapaan unless wala kang kapalitan,” said Uichico. "In our case, we changed personnel. We are still looking for the right combination and chemistry. Mabuti na lang, na-overcome namin ‘yung magandang laro ng Blackwater.”
Bolick hit a four-pointer to start a 12-0 blast that turned a 75-69 deficit into an 81-75 lead with 2:59 left.
Sedrick Barefield cut the deficit to two, 81-79, but Bolick made that critical three.
Barefield topscored for Blackwater with 18 points, while Daniel Ochefu had 16 points and 16 rebounds in the defeat.
The scores:
NLEX 84 – Bolick 24, Lalanne 22, Winston 10, Alas 7, Bahio 6, Torres 6, Gonzales 3, Semerad 3, Fajardo 2, Herndon 1, Onwubere 0, Racal 0, Ramirez 0.
Blackwater 81 – Barefield 18, Ochefu 16, David 12, Panopio 7, Tratter 7, Mallillin 6, Murrell 6, Andrade 5, Una 2, Ilagan 2, Mendoza 0, Jopia 0.
Quarters: 15-25; 34-41; 60-61; 84-81.
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