XYRUS Torres drained a key three-pointer with 48.2 seconds left as NLEX survived Barangay Ginebra, 89-86, on Wednesday to extend its winning streak to four in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup.
Torres knocked down a corner shot from the left side to help the Road Warriors regain the upperhand, 87-86, after a mighty rally saw the Gin Kings wipe out a deficit that reached as high as 17 points.
NLEX showed composure in the final seconds as Ginebra uncharacteristically wilted to escape with its fourth win in five games and secure its place in the leaderboard just behind unbeaten leader Magnolia.
READ Misfiring Xyrus Torres turns unlikely hero with clutch 3 for NLEX
Robert Bolick made two free throws with seven seconds left to hike the Road Warriors' lead to 89-86 and Scottie Thompson missed a hurried three-point attempt from the left corner before the buzzer as Ginebra slipped to 2-2.
Bolick also tied the game in the 1:36-mark of the fourth, a response to Ginebra’s 7-0 run that gave them an 84-81 advantage.
NLEX coach Jong Uichico praised his young team for maintaining its poise in the face of a furious Ginebra comeback led by Stephen Holt, who scored all but two of his 21 points in the final quarter.
“We were up by double figures, but knowing Ginebra, they have the capacity to come back which they did. Stephen Holt really shot the lights out. He got them [back] into the game, but it’s good that we also have a guy named Berto Bolick who carried the team.
“Big shots, wanted the ball, that’s why you need a Berto in your team to carry the team when things aren’t going well especially on the offensive end,” said Uichico.
Bolick finished with 28 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. He was also a perfect 3-of-3 from threes that included a clutch one in the endgame. He also made a three that enabled NLEX to take its biggest lead of the contest at 58-41.
Torres added 11 points counting three three-pointers.
The scores:
NLEX 89 – Bolick 28, Torres 11, Ramirez 11, Alas 10, Mocon 8, Bahio 6, Semerad 6, Fajardo 5, Rodger 2, Policarpio 2, Nieto 0.
Barangay Ginebra 86 – Holt 21, Thompson 20, Malonzo 11, Abarrientos 11, Rosario 8, J. Aguilar 7, Adamos 6, Pinto 2, Cu 0, David 0, Mariano 0.
Quarters: 13-23; 37-36; 67-53; 89-86.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
