NLEX became the unlikely solo leader in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup, overcoming an early 19-point deficit to shoot down Magnolia, 107-99, on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Road Warriors clinched twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals on an 8-2 win-loss mark after overcoming a 32-13 deficit to win by 8 through the outside shooting of Robert Bolick, Xyrus Torres, and Brandon Ramirez.
Bolick topscored with 25 points in a performance he adorned with back-to-back fours that broke a 64-64 deadlock early in the fourth quarter. He also nailed a three to make it a 104-91 spread with 1:20 remaining.
Torres added 22 markers on 4-of-7 shooting from threes, while the wide-bodied Ramirez scored 18 points and matched Torres' four treys.
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Magnolia, which paced the all-Filipino conference since its start, lost back-to-back games and slipped to second place on a 7-3 slate.
Torres scored nine straight points for NLEX for a 92-80 lead, with Bolick burying a three for the Road Warriors’ largest lead of the match at 99-82.
Jonnel Policarpio also had a huge outing with 12 points and six rebounds for the Road Warriors.
NLEX was able to bounce back after committing 10 turnovers in the first quarter that resulted into 15 fastbreak points.
“They are a great defensive team. We talked about that. We know that they thrive on their defense which we didn’t do well at the start. We turned the ball over a lot. Mabuti na lang, we kept our composure and poise and we were able to come back to the game,” said NLEX coach Jong Uichico.
Zavier Lucero had 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Ian Sangalang had 21 points for the Hotshots, who even started the game with a 13-2 lead.
But Magnolia was outscored, 29-14, in the second quarter and was only holding a two-point lead at the half, 46-44.
The scores:
NLEX 107 – Bolick 25, Torres 22, Ramirez 18, Policarpio 12, Mocon 10, Alas 9, Bahio 5, Valdez 4, Nieto 2, Semarad 0, Miranda 0, Herndon 0.
Magnolia 99 – Lucero 23, Sangalang 21, Lastimosa 17, Lee 16, Ahanmisi 8, Alfaro 4, Dionisio 4, Barroca 2, Navarro 2, Laput 2, Dela Rosa 0.
Quarters: 15-32; 44-46; 80-70; 107-90.
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