ANTIPOLO - NLEX got away from an upset against Macau on its way to a 106-97 win on Tuesday in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center.
The Road Warriors, behind Cady Lalanne and JB Bahio, opened the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run en route to picking up a 5-1 win-loss record for a share of second place with Meralco.
Robert Bolick and Schonny Winston put the finishing touches to the victory with late baskets for the Road Warriors to keep the Black Knights winless in seven outings.
Macau led by as many as seven but couldn’t hang on to the lead.
NLEX appeared to put the game early with a 24-10 advantage but Macau, determined to finally pull off a victory this conference, was able to keep in step and even led, 48-41.
The Black Knights were even leading, 78-74, entering the fourth quarter.
“In the first half, medyo masama because they (Macau) scored 52 points,” said NLEX coach Jong Uichico. “Second half, decent naman but can be better. The past two games, they (Macau) are playing a lot better than they did on the start. They are getting used to the game of the PBA. Buti na lang, nasa kalagitnaan yung kalaban namin. I'm sure they'll get better in the next games.”
“It was a grind game. We were neither playing that well offensively, nor were we were playing that well defensively. It was a grind game today. It's good that we came out with a win. Now. we learned how to win in grind-type games,” said Uichico.
Bolick later knocked down a three, and Winston a four-point play for a 104-97 lead to finish off Macau.
Lalanne had 28 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks, while Winston continued his stellar play offensively for NLEX with 24 points. Bolick had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Bahio had his best game in scoring this conference with 15.
Tony Mitchell had 32 points and 11 rebounds, and Damian Chongqui had 19 points and seven rebounds but fouled out late in the fourth quarter, and was not around to provide additional scoring punch for the Black Knights.
The scores:
NLEX 106 – Lalanne 28, Winston 24, Bolick 17, Bahio 15, Gonzales 7, Alas 6, Fajardo 4, Torres 3, Racal 2, Rodger 0, Ramirez 0.
Macau 97 – Mitchell 32, Chongqui 19, Cao 16, Leung 12, Shackelford 10, Sun 3, J. Li 3, X. Li 2, Lao 0.
Quarters: 28-21; 52-52; 74-78; 106-97.
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