NLEX put itself in position to contend for the final quarterfinal spot in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after beating Converge, 107-103, on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Road Warriors improved to 4-6 (win-loss), tying sister team TNT at eighth place heading to the final weekend of the eliminations.
NLEX will face Barangay Ginebra on Saturday in Legazpi City while TNT goes up against Phoenix Super LPG on Sunday in a pair of matches that can determine the No. 8 seed in the playoffs.
DeAndre Williams-Baldwin scored 22 points before fouling out late in his first game with NLEX, which endured the 50-point effort of Converge import Jamil Wilson.
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NLEX rookie Enoch Valdez was also a revelation as he had 19 points and nine rebounds in the win.
Robert Bolick had 15 points and 11 assists for NLEX, which also got a big boost from rookie Richie Rodger and Sean Anthony, who each had 14 points.
NLEX won with a depleted roster missing Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Dave Marcelo, and Matt Nieto due to injuries.
“It’s hard to play with most of your players injured,” said NLEX coach Frankie Lim. “Medyo kulang-kulang kami but the good thing is the rookies responded well.”
Converge continued its slide, going down to 1-9, even after entering the fourth with a one-point lead, 81-80.
The scores:
NLEX 107 – Williams-Baldwin 22, Valdez 19, Bolick 15, Rodger 14, Anthony 14, Nermal 12, Miranda 6, Herndon 5, Salado 0, Fajardo 0, Pascual 0, Semerad 0.
Converge 103 – Wilson 50, Arana 19, Fornilos 8, Melecio 5, Nieto 5, Vigan-Fleming 4, Wong 4, Stockton 4, Maagdenberg 2, Winston 2, Ambohot 0, Delos Santos 0, Santos 0.
Quarters: 25-22; 51-43; 80-81; 107-103.
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