NLEX poured it on to return to its winning ways, outclassing the shorthanded Rain or Shine, 105-91, on Saturday in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center.
Robert Bolick finished with 28 points, and JB Bahio had a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds as NLEX took advantage of the manpower woes of Rain or Shine to improve its win-loss record to 5-2 and grab joint second place with the Elasto Painters.
The Road Warriors also bounced back from their 104-74 loss to Ginebra last Sunday.
The Elasto Painters also own a 5-2 win-loss card but dropped their first game without Keith Datu who's gonna be out for the entire season due to a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee.
READ: Keith Datu out for rest of season due to ruptured patellar tendon
Rain or Shine remained without big man Caelan Tiongson, along with guard Stanley Pringle for the match-up.
The Elasto Painters loss also sent TNT at sole first place with a 5-1 win-loss mark.
Xyrus Torres had 15 points, among the five players who scored in double digits for NLEX.
Torres nailed a buzzer-beating three in front of the NLEX bench against two defenders to end the third with an 83-63 lead, a testament as to how the offense clicked for the Road Warriors in the game.
NLEX, which led by as many as 22 points, shot 49 percent from the field and made 10 threes in the victory over Rain or Shine.
“I think what’s glaring also is we were able to score against Rain or Shine,” said NLEX coach Jong Uichico.
“It’s hard to stop Rain or Shine because their average I think is 100 points a game if I'm not mistaken. So hindi lang puwede na to rely on your defense. Mahirap kapag kalaban niyo ‘yung Rain or Shine. Our offense has to click also, which we did with with Berto leading the charge on offense and on defense.”
Jhonard Clarito had 26 points and eight rebounds, while Gabe Norwood and Adrian Nocum chipped in 12 points apiece for the Elasto Painters.
The scores:
NLEX 105 – Bolick 28, Bahio 17, Torres 15, Policarpio 10, Fajardo 10, Herndon 6, Mocon 6, Rodger 6, Alas 3, Capulong 2, Nieto 2, Ramirez 0.
Rain or Shine 91 – Clarito 26, Norwood 12, Nocum 12, Santillan 10, Ildefonso 9, Asistio 9, Malonzo 7, Mamuyac 6, Lemetti 0, Belga 0, Caracut 0.
Quarters: 26-28; 52-47; 83-63; 105-91
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