NLEX escaped with a 123-112 overtime win over Titan Ultra on Tuesday in a wild finish to their final PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup elimination-round game at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Road Warriors topped the single-round eliminations with a 10-2 (win-loss) record to secure the No. 1 seed in the quarterfinals, thanks to late baskets by Robert Bolick and a series of miscues and misses by Titan Ultra late in regulation.
READ Bajar not pointing fingers as blown gimme layups cost Titan Ultra
With NLEX up, 107-106, in the final moments of regulation, Joshua Munzon forced a turnover by Ljay Gonzales, but missed a wide-open fastbreak lay-up. Michael Gilmore also blew a putback attempt after the Munzon miss with 14.3 seconds left.
The ball went out of bounds giving Titan Ultra another opportunity. Gilmore was fouled in the ensuing play after grabbing the rebound off a missed shot by Aris Dionisio, but the Titan Ultra import made just one free throw to tie the game.
Bolick’s shot to end the fourth was swiped by Munzon to send the game into overtime, but the Road Warriors eventually regained their composure and seized control in overtime to finish the eliminations with the best record.
Cady Lalanne (29 points, 20 rebounds), Bolick (25 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists), and Schonny Winston (24 points) combined for 15 of NLEX's 16 points in overtime.
NLEX coach Jong Uichico admitted he wanted give the other players more minutes to give them confidence entering the playoffs.
“I wasn't planning on playing the starting five a lot of minutes. I want to give the others some playing time na baka kakailanganin namin come the playoffs, so they can get their rhythm. Pero hindi naging maganda takbo ng laro. [The starters] ended up playing in the mid-30s (minutes),” said Uichico.
NLEX clinched the No. 1 seed for the second time in franchise history after the 2019 Governors' Cup. The Road Warriors will now wait for its quarterfinal opponent which will be the eighth seed.
The scores:
NLEX 123 – Lalanne 29, Bolick 25, Winston 24, Bahio 8, Gonzales 7, Capulong 6, Semerad 6, Torres 5, Racal 3, Herndon 2, Valdez 2, Rodger 2, Ramirez 2, Gamboa 2, Nieto 0, Fajardo 0.
Titan Ultra 112 – Gilmore 25, Munzon 19, Balanza 12, Flores 10, Melecio 9, Sajonia 8, Yu 7, Caralipio 7, Ambohot 5, Ular 4, Dionisio 4, Javillonar 2, Pessumal 0, Cuntapay 0, Sangco 0, Omega 0.
Quarters: 25-24; 50-59; 86-82; 107-107; 123-112.
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