ANTIPOLO – NLEX picked up a huge win in its quarterfinal aspirations, defeating Rain or Shine, 122-110, on Saturday in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center.
Robert Bolick led six NLEX players in double figures with 40 points as the Road Warriors secured their second straight win in the penultimate game of their elimination round schedule.
He also dished out 10 assists in a double-double effort.
READ: With SMB's win, pressure's on Magnolia, NLEX
More importantly, the Road Warriors are now tied with San Miguel at eighth place with a 5-6 win-loss record, intensifying the battle for the last spot in the quarterfinals.
The Road Warriors also survived the foul troubles of Mike Watkins as he was still able to contribute 25 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks in the victory.
The Elasto Painters have now lost two in a row, and four over the last five games for a 6-5 slate, staying at seventh place, but now just one match ahead of SMB and NLEX.
“At least, we know that we can battle especially when the games count,” said NLEX coach Jong Uichico. “We don’t lose faith. We don’t lose hope. We’re always there, even if the chances are very slim. We give ourselves a shot all the time. If we can translate that all consistently in our games and in our practices, then we’ll do alright.”
NLEX led by as many as 22 points, 73-51, in the third quarter with Bolick scoring 15 in that period. The Road Warriors also outscored the Elasto Painters, 36-25, in the second with Bolick also contributing 13 in that canto.
NLEX battles Eastern on January 29 in a game that could be either for an outright spot in the quarterfinals or a playoff for the No. 8 seed, depending on the other results.
Deon Thompson had 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Jhonard Clarito added 20 but all in a losing effort for Rain or Shine, which now looks to seal a quarterfinal spot against TNT on January 31.
The scores:
NLEX 122 – Bolick 40, Watkins 25, Semerad 17, Torres 12, Alas 11, Mocon 10, Policarpio 4, Ramirez 3, Herndon 0.
Rain or Shine 110 – Thompson 26, Clarito 20, Nocum 16, Santillan 12, Datu 10, Caracut 8, Lemetti 6, Belga 4, Tiongson 4, Ildefonso 4. Norwood 0.
Quarters: 29-23; 65-48; 86-79; 122-110.
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